FIG. 4.

Improved regeneration of nerves by gross histology is observed in DS ANA and GDNF-SC-Dox6 groups. Gross histology of sectioned nerves indicates differences in regeneration between groups. Representative images for each group are shown for (A) Isograft, (B) ANA, (C) GDNF-DS, (D) control vector-SCs + GDNF-DS, (E) GDNF-SC-Dox8 no GDNF-DS, (F) GDNF-SCs GDNF-DS Dox4, (G) GDNF-SCs GDNF-DS Dox6, and (H) GDNF-SCs GDNF-DS Dox8. Organized nerve architecture of compact uniformly sized fibers can be observed clearly in the isograft control. Similar morphology can be seen in DS ANA and GDNF-SCs DS Dox6. Delivery of GDNF for too short (4 weeks) or too long (8 weeks) a period results in poor organization and tissue “swirling.” Scale bar = 5 μm. Color images available online at www.liebertpub.com/tea