Fig. 5

Immunofluorescence staining analysis. a Immunofluorescence of CD31 and CD68 in the carotid arteries of different groups. Arrows indicate endothelial cells. Quantification of CD31 (b) and of CD68 (c) staining from images in a. Data are presented as mean ± SEM and were analysed by one-way ANOVA with LSD post hoc comparisons, n = 3. NS, no statistical difference; *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001 vs. the BI group. SC, sham operation control; BI, balloon injury; BI+EPC, EPC transplantation after BI; SC+EPC, EPC transplantation after sham operation