Stem Cell Therapy in Injured Vocal Folds: A Three-Month Xenograft Analysis of Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Figure 6

Longitudinal hematoxylin-eosin staining of the midmembranous part of (1) normal vocal fold (VF) with minimal loose connective tissue superficially under the lamina propria (Lp) with some inflammatory cells in the space of Lp, seen as black dots (group a, in the classification of general fibrosis; see Section 2.5.3). (2) Scarred untreated VF at three months showing compact connective tissue /fibrosis/ in deep Lp expanding into superficial muscle (Sm) and down into deep muscle (Dm). Plenteous inflammatory cells are spread in Sm and far into Dm (group d). (3) A hESC treated VF at three months showing minimal connective tissue in the Lp, slight loose connective tissue with limited inflammatory cells in Sm (group b). Arrows mark boarder between Lp and Sm. Scale bar is 100 μm. The images slightly decolorized to visualize the greyish fibrosis.