3.3.5. Histomorphology
P4HB Scaffold maintained its integrity after 60- and 180-days post implantation and showed good integration within the submucosa of the vaginal tissue (Figure 6). The P4HB scaffold could be identified in between the lamina propria and muscularis layer in the H&E-stained samples (Figure 7). There was no significant difference in the presence of FBGCs at the border of the implant between both time points (0.93 ± 0.42 SD at 60-days and 0.73 ± 0.54 SD at 180-days) (Figure 8A). A decrease in the presence of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNCs) was observed over time, however this difference was not significant (2.06 ± 0.70 SD at 60-days and 1.65 ± 0.83 SD at 180-days) (Figure 8B). There was significantly higher inflammatory cell infiltration around the P4HB scaffold as compared to the PP mesh at both 60- (P4HB: 2.06 ± 0.70 and PP: 0.60 ±0.31 SD) and 180-days (P4HB: 1.65 ± 0.83 and PP:0.32 ±0.10 SD) (Figure S2A) (4). There was no significant difference in vessel count around the P4HB scaffold at 60- and 180-days based on H&E staining (Figure 8C). However, PP mesh, exhibited a higher number of vessels as compared to P4HB scaffold at both time points (P4HB: 0.87 ± 054 SD at 60-days, 0.78 ± 0.53 SD at 180-days; PP: 1.52 ± 0.46 SD at 60-days and 1.96 ± 0.32 SD at 180-days) (Figure S2B). At 60 days, P4HB scaffolds were surrounded with newly formed connective tissue with aligned collagen fibres. After 180 days the connective tissue matured, indicated with darker blue, and density increased (Figure 8D).
Figure 6.