Fig. 2

Characterization of α7nAChR in a murine inflammatory angiogenesis sponge implantation model reveals an early peak in expression corresponding with the beginning of angiogenesis and macrophage infiltration. A Representative H&E (left) and autoradiography performed with the α7nAChR selective radiotracer [³H]NS14490. The brighter colors represent areas of higher uptake. Specific binding was blocked using 10 µM NS14490 as shown in the blocking images. B Quantification of [³H]NS14490 specific binding across the whole sponge, C sponge border and D sponge center. N = 4, * = P ≤ 0.05, ** = P ≤ 0.01 and *** = P ≤ 0.001 using an ordinary one-way ANOVA with post hoc Dunnett’s versus day 3. E Histological quantification of sponge vasculature assessing CD31⁺ vessels and F CD31 + and αSMA + vessels. N = 6, ** = P ≤ 0.01 and *** = P ≤ P ≤ 0.001 using a Kruskal–Wallis test with post hoc Dunn’s versus day 3. G Quantification of f4/80 macrophage signal within the sponge, N = 6–7, ** = P ≤ 0.01 and *** = P ≤ 0.001 using an ordinary one-way ANOVA with post hoc Dunnett’s versus day 3