Fig. 6. (A ) Western blot analysis of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein expressions in lung tissue. Animals with acute lung injury received normal saline (control), endothelial cells, or autologous transplantation of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) 2 days after administration of endotoxin. (B ) Expression of VEGF was significantly higher in lung tissue of ALI rabbits, and autologous transplantation of EPC also enhanced VEGF protein level. *P < 0.05, EPC versus control and endothelial cells groups; n = 7. Data are presented as mean ± SD. The relative density of bands quantified by scanning densitometry was analyzed using ANOVA followed by the Tukey post hoc test. Control = normal saline; EC = endothelial cells; EPC = endothelial progenitor cells.