Alde-Low EPCs are highly migratory. (A) Migration assay by using transwell culture system. The asterisk ‘a’ represent the significant increase of EPC migration under hypoxic conditions (5% O2) compared to those under normoxic conditions (20% O2). The asterisk ‘b’ represents the greater migratory ability of Alde-Low EPCs compared that of Alde-High EPCs under hypoxia in the presence of SDF-1. Striped bar represents HUVECs, black bar represents Alde-High EPCs, and white bar represents Alde-Low EPCs. *P < .05; **P < .01. (B) Skin incisions were made on the dorsal surfaces of mice and HUVECs (left), Alde-High EPCs (middle), or Alde-Low EPCs (right) were injected. The ability of ECs to migrate was examined within 24 hours after the surgery. Bar indicates 100 μm. (C) The numbers of migrated GFP-positive cells in the skin were scored using fluorescent microscopy. Three mice injected with either HUVECs, Alde-High EPCs, or Alde-Low EPCs were used for estimating the extent of EC migration and the mean ± SD was obtained. The striped bar represents HUVECs, the black bar represents Alde-High EPCs, and the white bar represents Alde-Low EPCs. *P < .05.
