Figure 3: Shows the tissue reaction (A and A-1) as well as the integrative behavior (B, C and D) of the Mucoderm® matrix (MD) at day 30 after implantation within the subcutaneous connective tissue (CT) of the CD-1- mice. A and A-1 show that mainly mononuclear cells (black arrow heads) and a few multinucleated giant cells (red arrow heads) and many vessels (red arrows in A) were located at the surface of the Mucoderm® matrix (MD) at day 30 after implantation (CT=Connective Tissue). Note that the fibers of the Mucoderm® matrix (MD) are surrounded by numerous superficial and deeper mononuclear cells (black / green arrow heads). Additionally, multinucleated giant cells (red arrow head in A-1) have started to invade the matrix (Azanstain, A: 200x magnification, A1: 400x magnification, scale bars=10 μm). B shows that the Mucoderm® matrix (MD= double arrow) was still detectable within the subcutaneous connective tissue (CT) without signs of breakdown. Note that the lumina of the pre-existing vessel skeletons (blue arrow heads) as well as the former fatty tissue-islands (black arrows) were filled by connective tissue (Sirius-stain, B: 100x magnification, scale bar=100 μm). C and D show the vessel skeletons that contained connective tissue (CT) surrounded by mononuclear cells (black arrow heads) and microvessels (red arrows), while the body of the matrix only contained a few mononuclear cells (green arrow heads) at this later time point (C: H&E-stain, 200x magnification, scale bar=100 μm; D: Azan-stain, 400x magnification, scale bar=10 μm).