Fig. 4
Meox1 induce Sca-1+ stem cell migration into neointima through activating SDF-1 α signaling in α-SMA+ cells. On the basis of results of Fig. 1, the experiment preliminary demonstrated the order of expressions of Meox1 and SDF-1α in the process of neointimal formation after vessel injury, tried to identify the correlation between expressions of Meox1 and SDF-1α. A Immunofluorescence double staining for SDF-1α and Meox1 in injury arteries in the indicated time. Red fluorescence indicates SDF-1α, green fluorescence indicates Meox1, and blue fluorescence indicates DAPI-labeled nucleus. Round arrow indicates lumen side neointima, open arrow indicates media, and forked tail arrow indicates adventitia. B–D Semi-quantitative analysis of optical density value of immunohistochemical staining of SDF-1α in A were determined within media or intima of sham operation and injury arteries by Image-Pro Plus software; percentage of SDF-1α expression at media or intima in the indicated time compared to sham group were calculated, showing the traits of time-dependent manner. n = 6, $P < 0.05 vs. 0 day; *P < 0.05 vs. 1 day; &P < 0.05 vs. 3 days; #P < 0.05 vs. 7 days. E SDF-1α expression in injury arteries treated with Ad-shMeox1 for 14 days. F, G Semi-quantitative analysis ofSDF-1α in VSMC in injury arteries of E. n = 3, &P < 0.05 vs. Ad-Null. I, neointima; M, media; A, adventitia