Figure 5.

NSCs produce neurotrophins and reduce micro- and macrogliosis in SOD1G93A mice. The amounts of (A) GDNF, (B) BDNF, (C) NT3 and (D) TGF-α secreted by the NSCs were determined by ELISA, which demonstrated a significant production of these neuroprotective substances with respect to fibroblasts. (E) Expression of GFAP (red) was reduced in the spinal cord of transplanted SOD1 mice. Nuclei are stained with DAPI (blue). Scale bar: 70 µm. NSC transplantation significantly reduced the presence of microglial cells (F) and astrocytes (G) in the spinal cord of intrathecally and systemically injected mice (data represent the mean ± SD, *significant, P < 0.001, ANOVA).