FIG. 6.

Immunofluorescence of rat primary dissociated dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) axonal outgrowth. Dissociated DRG cells (red, α-β-III-tubulin) in absence of nerve growth factor (NGF) (control 1) on 2 DIV (A) and a slightly increased neurite outgrowth on 7 DIV (B). In presence of NGF (control 2) on 2 DIV (C) with an increased neurite outgrowth on 7 DIV (D). On plain chitosan films cluster formation with increased neurite outgrowth occurred till 2 DIV (E) and was further increased till 7 DIV (F). (G, H) On chitosan films preseeded with cocultures of aSCs and BMSCs, axonal outgrowth and network formation was further intensified over time. Blue: nuclear staining (DAPI); scale bars=200 μm. Color images available online at www.liebertpub.com/tea