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. 2017 Jan 24;7:41122. doi: 10.1038/srep41122

Figure 7. Sox9 is expressed by astrocytes that are GFAP positive and by ependyma that are Foxj1-tdT positive but GFAP negative.

Figure 7

(a) Schematic of uninjured ependyma (Ep) with boxed region shown in (b,c). (b,c) Single channel and merged immunofluorescence images of Sox9, Foxj1 and GFAP in a horizontal section of uninjured ependymal layer. Sox 9 is present in either GFAP positive astrocytes (arrows) or Foxj1 positive ependyma (arrowheads) but no cells are positive for both GFAP and Foxj1. (d) Schematic of SCI crush lesion with box of peri-ependymal region shown in (e–h). (e) Single channel and merged immunofluorescence images showing Sox9, Foxj1 and GFAP in a horizontal section through the ependymal layer, lesion core (LC) and astrocyte scar (AS). (f–h) Higher magnification of boxed area in e showing cells labelled for Sox9, Foxj1 or GFAP in the ependymal layer and adjacent astrocyte scar. Numbers indicate cells labeled for (1) Sox9 and Foxj1-tdT only, (2) Sox9 and GFAP only, and (3) Sox9, Foxj1 and GFAP. (i) Mean percent of Sox9 labeled cells that are co-labeled with Foxj1-tdT alone or with both Foxj1-tdT plus GFAP across the entire SCI lesion. n = 4 per group, p < 0.001 (t-test). (j) Schematic of medial stab SCI directly damaging the ependyma as shown in (k,l). (k) Single channel and merged immunofluorescence images showing Sox9, Foxj1 and GFAP in a transverse section through a medial stab SCI that penetrates into and directly damages ependyma, resulting in Foxj1 cells along the astrocyte scar (arrows). (l) Higher magnification of boxed area in k showing cells labelled for Sox9, Foxj1 and GFAP (arrows) in the astrocyte scar.