Figure 14.

(a–j) Cell transfection is shown with cytoplasmic DsRed2-N1 and nuclear green fluorescent protein plasmids (b,c). The merged fluorescence and differential interference contrast (DIC) images after 2 days of amputation depict both the cells in the spinal cord with a distance of approximately 250–300 µm from the amputation plane (c). In the next 2 days, the cells undergo division and recruitment to the regenerating spinal cord (e,f). (The panels show only regenerating tissue.) The cell division continues and spinal cord growth continues rapidly (g–j). (j) A composite image of DIC images merged with the fluorescent image (15 days). Here, the initial two cells give rise to approximately ten cells on both the dorsal and ventral sides of the midportion of the developing spinal cord. The cell group is present over 560 µm length along the anterior/posterior axis. The original amputation plane is depicted by an arrow sign. Scale bar 100 µm in (j) (applicable to a–j). Reprinted with permission from [124].