Fig. 2

Estimation of angiogenesis using the Matrigel assay with and without G-CSF treatment in both groups of patients A An example of how to identify angiogenesis variables, including tubular length (blue line), cluster formation (red circle) and network formation (blue triangle). B–E Matrigel assay for identification of angiogenesis capacity in G1 (i.e., the control group) B and G2 (the cell-treated group) at the time points of pre-G-CSF treatment C and post-G-CSF treatment D as well as at the time of plasma isolation from CD34 + cells E. The pink arrows indicate tubular length. Red arrows indicate cluster formation. The black dotted line circle indicates network formation. F Analytical result of the number of tubules, * vs. other groups with different symbols (†, ‡), p < 0.001. G Analytical result of total tubular length, * vs. other groups with different symbols (†, ‡), p < 0.001. H Analytical result of the mean tubular length, * vs. other groups with different symbols (†, ‡), p < 0.0001. I Analytical result of cluster formation, * vs. other groups with different symbols (†, ‡), p < 0.0001. J Analytical result of network formation, * vs. other groups with different symbols (†, ‡), p < 0.0001. All the statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA, followed by the Bonferroni multiple comparison post hoc test (n = 14 for each group). Symbols (*, †, ‡) indicate significance (at the 0.05 level). G-CSF = granulocyte colony-stimulating factor; G1 = the control group. G2A (cell-treated group) = pre-G-CSF treatment; G2B = post-G-CSF treatment. G3 = plasma containing isolated CD34 + cells