L_1p-FH successfully attach to mSMG and are degraded over time <i>in vivo</i>.

<p>(A) Rheology measurements were performed for FH alone as well as L_1p-FH. Data represent the elasticity (G’) versus strain (%) of unmodified FH (○) and L_1p-FH (□). The <i>in vivo</i> stability of L_1p-FH was monitored using a Xenogen IVIS 100 Bioluminescent Imager at days (B) 1, (C) 3, (D) 8 and (E) 20. Radiant Efficiency: (p/sec/cm²/sr)/(μW/cm²).</p

L_1p-FH applied to mSMG increased body weight.

<p>Changes in body weight (%) of FH alone (■) or L_1p-FH (▲) treated mice groups were compared with untreated mice group (●) and sham control group (○) over 20-day period. Data represent the means ± SD of n = 7 mice per condition and statistical significance was assessed by two-way ANOVA (<i>p</i> < 0.01) and Dunnett's post-hoc test for multiple comparisons to the untreated group.</p

Procedure to create wounded SMG model.

<p>(A) A skin incision of approximately 1 cm in length was made along the anterior surface of the neck, mSMG were exposed, (B) a 3-mm diameter biopsy punch was performed, surgical wounds were completed, (C) wounds were filled with or without L_1p-FH or FH and (D) the skin incision was sutured.</p

Surgical wounds treated with L_1p-FH displayed organized mSMG.

<p>Rehydrated sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (A, C, E, G) or picrosirius red (B, D, F, H) stains and analyzed using a Leica DMI6000B at 10× magnifications. Shown are wounded mSMG without scaffold (A, B), wounded mSMG with FH alone (C, D), wounded mSMG with L_1p-FH (E, F), and sham control (G, H). (I) The ratio of acinar and ductal structures was analyzed using ImageJ. Red arrows indicate acinar structures and yellow arrows indicate ductal structures. Scale bars = 200 μm.</p

Composition of fibrin hydrogels.

<p>Composition of fibrin hydrogels.</p

L_1p-FH applied to mSMG restored saliva composition.

<p>Fifteen microgram of saliva protein from each group was fractionated by SDS-PAGE. The gel was stained with (A) 0.25% Coomassie Brilliant Blue R-250 for total proteins and (B) 0.5% Alcian Blue 8GX for mucins. (C) The mucin compositions were analysed using ImageJ. The white bar indicates MUC5B and the gray bar indicates MUC7. Statistical significance was assessed by one-way ANOVA (<i>p</i> < 0.01) and Dunnett's post-hoc test for multiple comparisons to the sham group. * = significant difference from the sham group; n.s. = no significant difference from the sham group.</p

L_1p-FH applied to mSMG improved saliva secretion over untreated and FH alone-treated mice.

<p>Mice were anesthetized and stimulated with pilocarpine at day 20. Then, saliva was collected for 5 min. Data represent the means ± SD of n = 5 mice per condition and statistical significance was assessed by one-way ANOVA (<i>p</i> < 0.01) and Dunnett's post-hoc test for multiple comparisons to the untreated group. * = significant difference from the untreated group; n.s. = no significant difference from the untreated group.</p

List of antibodies.

<p>List of antibodies.</p