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Figure 4 | Stem Cell Research & Therapy

Figure 4

From: Murine amniotic fluid stem cells contribute mesenchymal but not epithelial components to reconstituted mammary ducts

Figure 4

Cell-fate tracing of amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSs) in co-transplantation with MECs into cleared fat pads. (a) AFSs were transplanted in a 1:1 ratio with supporting MECs (105 each) and analyzed 8 weeks later. X-Gal-stained whole mounts from virgin mice show that AFS-derived progeny surround the developing ductal structures. (b) Histologic analysis of whole mounts inoculated with AFSs and MECs confirms that AFSs form a stromal cell layer around the ductal outgrowth but do not integrate into the myoepithelial or luminal cell layer in virgin mice. (c) Histologic analysis of whole mounts at pregnancy day 18.5 inoculated with GFP+ AFSs and MECs shows that the stromal cell layer derived from GFP+ AFSs exhibit no adverse effects on alveologenesis. Insets show higher magnification. Scale bar for whole mounts and tissue sections is 50 μm. A few α-SMA+ and GFP+ AFS-derived cells can be detected within the alveolar unit, as shown by laminin β1 staining. The circles indicate alveolar units. Scale bar is 10 mm. (Blue) X-Gal stain or hematoxylin, (Pink) Nuclear fast red, and (Brown) DAB staining.

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