Figure 1

Graphic describing the amount of total tissue remaining and intact tissue at the site of the spinal cord contusion injury at day of transplant 2 weeks and 4 months. Quantification of gold chloride and Nissl stained sagittal sections to measure the amount of intact tissue and total tissue remaining within each of the experimental groups using Image Pro. (A): Total tissue remaining 2 weeks and 4 months after cell transplantation. (B): Intact tissue remaining 2 weeks and 4 months after cell transplantation. There was a significant increase (* p<0.05) in intact tissue found in the OEG and Schwann cell treated groups when compared to medium controls. (C, G): Appearance of spinal cord lesion site 2 weeks after injury (i.e. day of cell transplantation) (D) Total tissue remaining at 2 weeks after medium injection. (E) Appearance of spinal cord lesion site 2 weeks after OEG transplantation (4 weeks after injury). (F) Appearance of the spinal cord lesion epicenter 2 weeks after Schwann cell transplantation (4 weeks after initial injury). (H): Appearance of spinal cord lesion site 4 months after medium injection. (I) Demonstrates the spinal cord tissue 4 months after OEG transplantation. Note the considerable increased retention of intact tissue and a reduction in cystic volume when compared to image (H). (J): Injured spinal cord at 4 months after being injected with Schwann cells at the 14 day treatment time point. Note the presence of small microcysts (see black arrow) within the spinal cord parenchyma, but only where the Schwann cells are present. Scale bar: 200 μm.