Histological analysis of bone formation and revascularization in the osteotomy gap.

<p>(<b>A</b>) Photomicrographs of histological sections 6 weeks post-surgery of the CD133(+) (left) and the ABC (right) group (Movat Pentachrome staining); In the CD133(+) group the osteotomy gap was predominantly filled with spongy mineralized tissue formations. A thin layer of hyaline cartilage (green) between the bone ends had not yet been mineralized. In the ABC group almost only fibrous tissue was found, completely lacking any cartilage or bone formation; (ABC: autologous blood clot group; CD133(+): CD133 cell treated group); cortical bone/yellow; bone marrow/dark red; cartilage/green; muscle/red <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0052650#pone.0052650-BPreininger1" target="_blank">[21]</a>. (<b>B</b>) Photomicrographs of immune histological sections 6 weeks post-surgery of the CD133(+) (left) and the ABC (right) group (factor VIII staining); In the CD133(+) group quite dense vessel formations (red) were observed, especially in the endostal region at the zone where the hyaline cartilage formations are mineralized. (ABC: autologous clot group; CD133: CD133+ cell treated group) (Scale bar: 1 mm).