Transplanted NSCs differentiate into neurons and astrocytes in vivo
Immunofluorescent studies were carried out to identify neural stem cells (Nestin), neurons (NeuN) and astrocytes (GFAP) in the lesion zone of rats transplanted with C17.2 NSCs at 28 days after MCAO. As shown in Figure 3, few NeuN (1.93 ± 2.38%) and GFAP positive cells (34.36 ± 7.00%) were co-stained with CM-DiI, and most transplanted C17.2 NSCs (55.00 ± 12.29%) appeared undifferentiated as shown by double-labeling with nestin, a specific marker for neural progenitor cells. These data suggested the C17.2 NSCs may differentiate into neurons and astrocytes in vivo.