VASP^−/− BM–derived cells improve blood flow recovery after ischemia. Four groups of BM transplanted animals, WT-BM→WT (WT BM transplanted into WT mice), WT-BM→KO (WT BM transplanted into VASP^−/− mice), KO-BM→WT (VASP^−/− BM transplanted into WT mice), and KO-BM→KO (VASP^−/− BM transplanted into VASP^−/− mice) underwent hindlimb ischemia and laser Doppler imaging to assess blood flow recovery. (A) Successful engraftment was confirmed by genotyping of blood-derived leukocytes. One representative genotyping PCR of a series of four is shown; VASP KO ∼700 bp and WT ∼450 bp. (B–E) Time course of the recovery of blood flow as the ratio of the ligated to nonligated hindlimb. Transplanted VASP^−/− or WT BM is indicated in red and black, respectively. Recipient VASP^−/− or WT mice are indicated by circles and squares, respectively. (F) Comparison of blood perfusion of all four groups 14 d after femoral artery excision. WT and VASP^−/− transplanted BM is indicated by white and black bars, respectively. The genotype of the recipient mice is shown below the bars. n = 8–10 animals per group; error bars, SEM; *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001 (two-way ANOVA/Bonferroni).