Fig. 8

VEGF-B promoted CSC mobilization and angiogenesis and improved heart function. a, b The typical picture of c-kit-positive CSCs in I/R hearts after VEGF-B treatment. Blue, DAPI-labeled nucleus; green, c-kit positive. b The number of c-kit-positive CSCs in I/R hearts was counted, and statistical analyses were performed. The bar represents 25 µm. ^# P = 0.05 vs. I/R group; *P < 0.05 vs. VEGF-B (1.0) group, n = 6. c–e SDF-1α and HGF expression was detected using western blot, as described in the “Methods” section (c), and quantified via normalization to a-tubulin (d, e). n = 6. ^# P < 0.05 vs. I/R group; *P < 0.01. vs. VEGF-B (1.0) group; ^& P < 0.01. vs. sham group. f Typical picture of vWF VIII and a-SMA immunostaining for the analysis of vessel density in the infarcted heart. g Quantitative analysis of vessel density, as indicated. ^# P < 0.05 vs. I/R group; *P < 0.01. vs. VEGF-B (1.0) group, n = 6