Fig 2: Histopathological findings of Rat myoblast L8 cell sheet invitro/vivo. Immuno-histochemical staining was performed using anti-CD34 (A and B) and the anti-PDGF-A (C and D) antibodies. The left photographs show myoblast sheet before transplantation. The right photographs show myoblast sheet on postoperative day 3. The arrows in photographs (B) and (D) show myoblast-like cells that were supported by residual fibrin glue on the surface of the transplanted site.

Fig 3: Comparing CD34-positive cell numbers in the ulcer areas. Immuno-histochemical staining was performed using anti-CD34 antibodies. The photographs show CD34-positive cells as a brown area in cell sheet transplantation group (A) and the control group (C). The middle photographs show WinROOF digital images, with green corresponding to the area of CD34-positive cells in cell sheet transplantation group (B) and the control group (D). E) The box plots showed the ratio of the immunopositive area calculated by WinROOF. The box plots represent the minimum, lower quartile, median, upper quartile and maximum in biological replicates. The small black circle represent outlier. The p-value according to the Mann–Whitney U-test is indicated in comparison with the control group on postoperative day 3.

Fig 4: RT-PCR analysis of surface and pluripotency marker gene expression in the different rMSC. A panel of surface markers including CD29, CD34, CD44, and CD45 was used for the identification of rMSC. Pluripotency genes expression (NANOG, OCT4, and SOX2) was detected in the different rMSC.

Fig 5: Representative IHC images of c-kit and CD34 staining according to the intensities of c-kit and CD34 staining in the consecutive clinical specimens of HCC.Notes: (A, B) c-kit was scored as 0, with negative expression (100×, 200×). (C, D) CD34 staining in the continuous slices corresponding to A, B (100×, 200×). (E, F) c-kit was scored as 1, defined as (+) expression (100×, 200×). (G, H) CD34 staining in the continuous slices corresponding to E, F (100×, 200×). (I, J) c-kit was scored as 2, defined as (++) expression (100×, 200×). (K, L) CD34 staining in the continuous slices corresponding to I, J (100×, 200×). (M, N) c-kit was scored as 3, defined as (+++) expression (100×, 200×). (O, P) CD34 staining in the continuous slices corresponding to I, J (100×, 200×).Abbreviations: HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma; IHC, immunohistochemistry.