Endothelial precursor cells promote angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma

Figure 3 Bone-marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells were found to contribute to vessel formation in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues. A: Bone marrow derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) incorporated into peritumoral vessels; B: Distribution of CD133 and VEGFR2 antigens in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) liver vessels (Arrows: Double-positive cells, CD133+ VEGFR2+ cells incorporating into microvessels in the liver. Magnification, 400); C: Bone-marrow (BM)-derived EPCs incorporated into hepatic veins [Red: Mature vascular endothelial cells (VECs) are marked by CD31; Green: BM derived cells expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP); Blue: Nuclei stained by DAPI; Arrows: VECs co-expressing GFP and CD31, frozen, HCC, 2 μm, magnification 400]; D: The incorporation rate of the EPCs in HCC blood vessels at 7 d vs that observed at 21 d. ^bP < 0.01 vs that observed at 21 d, n = 15. DAPI: 4',6'-diamidino-2-phenylindole hydrochloride.