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Figure 2 | Molecular Pain

Figure 2

From: Analgesia for neuropathic pain by dorsal root ganglion transplantation of genetically engineered mesenchymal stem cells: initial results

Figure 2

Survival and differentiation of transplanted EGFP-MSCs in the non-injured DRGs. Immunohistochemical preparations reveal transplanted EGFP-MSCs in DRG sections, showing numerous EGFP-MSCs with typical fibroblast-like morphology and some MSC migrating in a short distance along roots and sciatic nerve 1 week after transplantation (A, outlined area magnified in B), but reduced numbers of engrafted EGFP-MSCs 3 weeks after transplantation (C, D). Here and in subsequent panels, filled arrowheads point to the engrafted EGFP-MSCs, and empty arrowheads indicate EGFP-negative neurons or satellite glia. Transplanted MSCs retained STRO-1 expression typical of MSCs (E). EGFP-MSCs (green) show a general distribution pattern in the extracellular matrix space, without disrupting the normal relationship in which satellite glia, stained here by GS (red), form rings enwrapping sensory neurons (unstained here, F). Identification of satellite glial cells by GFAP provides similar findings (G). Transplanted EGFP-MSCs do not express GS (F) or GFAP (G). Sensory neuron somata, labeled by TUBB3 (red), are typically separated from MSCs (stained with EGFP) that are negative for TUBB3 (H). Engrafted EGFP MSCs express immunopositivity for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) (I) and pro-apoptosis regulator Bax (J). Scale bar = 50 μm for all images. Sections were harvested 1 week after transplantation in panels E, F, H, and J, and were harvested 3 weeks after transplantation in panels G and I.

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