Their survival, migration, and differentiation in the infarct brain were precisely analyzed using immunohistochemistry 4 weeks after transplantation. The MNC were positive for CD34, CD45, CD90, but were negative for Sca-1. The BMSC were positive for CD90 and Sca-1. The transplanted BMSC, but not MNC, extensively migrated into

the peri-infarct area. Approximately 20% of the transplanted BMSC expressed a neuronal marker, NeuN in the infarct brain, although only 1.4% of the transplanted MNC expressed CCI-779 NeuN. These findings strongly suggest that there are large, biological differences between MNC and BMSC as cell sources of regenerative medicine for ischemic stroke. “
“The degree of polymerization of PrP has a close relationship with the MI-503 in vivo pathological mechanisms of prion diseases. We examined, at the molecular level, the polymerization state of PrP in lysates of prion-infected cells using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM). The crude lysates were fractionated by gel-filtration spin columns according to their molecular size. Both the oligomer-rich and the monomer-rich fractions were probed with fluorescein-labeled anti-PrP antibodies (mAb SAF70 and mAb 8G8). Fluorescent spots of varying intensity were detected, with the ratio of intense fluorescent spots being greater in the oligomer

fraction samples with mAb SAF70 than those with 8G8, the specific epitope of which is thought to be buried in abnormal PrP molecules. The results indicated that PrP oligomers could be specifically detected and conformational

changes of abnormal PrP molecules observed. Imaging by TIRFM may aid in determining the polymerization state and properties of PrP oligomers in pathological processes. “
“T-H. Chu, L. Wang, A. Guo, V. W-K. Chan, C. W-M. Wong and W. Wu (2012) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology38, 681–695 GDNF-treated acellular nerve graft promotes motoneuron axon regeneration after implantation into cervical root avulsed spinal cord It is well known that glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a potent neurotrophic factor for motoneurons. We have previously shown that it greatly enhanced motoneuron survival and axon regeneration after implantation of peripheral Progesterone nerve graft following spinal root avulsion. Aims: In the current study, we explore whether injection of GDNF promotes axon regeneration in decellularized nerve induced by repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Methods: We injected saline or GDNF into the decellularized nerve after root avulsion in adult Sprague–Dawley rats and assessed motoneuron axon regeneration and Schwann cell migration by retrograde labelling and immunohistochemistry. Results: We found that no axons were present in saline-treated acellular nerve whereas Schwann cells migrated into GDNF-treated acellular nerve grafts.