Fig. 3

EPC transplantation attenuates neointimal hyperplasia after BI. a Autofluorescence of neointimal hyperplasia on the optical sections from each group at different time points. Scale bar = 250 μm. b Normalised volume of carotid artery of different groups on the first, fourth, seventh, and 14th day after BI (n = 3 for each group). c Cross-sections of carotid arteries stained with H&E in different groups on the 14th day after BI. d Neointimal area of different groups (n = 3 for each group). Data are presented as mean ± SEM (b, d) and were analysed by independent Student’s t test in b and by Welch’s ANOVA with Dunnett’s T3 post hoc test in d. SC, sham operation control; BI, balloon injury; BI+EPC, EPC transplantation after BI; SC+EPC, EPC transplantation after sham operation. NS, no statistical difference; *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001 vs. the BI group