Figure 5: Immunohistological characterization of HSG and DPSC in HA hydrogels. (A and B) Mature glandular structures which were double-positive for CD44 and LAMP-1 (arrows) were seen in the HSG+DPSC co-transplantation group, but not in the HSG alone. (A) The cells in HSG transplants stained positive for CD44, but negative for LAMP-1, suggesting their immature state. (B, arrowheads) Differentiated HSG cells were observed at the interface with DPSC which encapsulated the HSG tumor. (C-F) Encapsulating DPSC which were positively stained for SMA (arrowheads) attempted to invade into the transplanted tissue and also recruited blood vessels. The blood vessels were recognized by SMA and vWF staining. (G) The bar graph shows the quantification of blood vessels as percentage per area in both HSG and HSG+DPSC transplants. The number of blood vessels in HSG+DPSC (82% ± 1.37) was significantly higher compared to that in HSG alone (33% ± 0.91). The number of blood vessels in both transplants were measures from 10 areas of three samples per transplant (n = 10). Student’s t-test calculated * p ≤ 0.05. Error bars represent ± SEM. Scale bars indicate 100 μm.