Figure 7.

NSCs transplanted into an optic nerve transection survive, differentiate, and extend axons toward the optic chiasm after 4 weeks. (A) Longitudinal optic nerve section 4 weeks after transection (dashed line) and tdTomato expressing NSC graft (g) extending axons along the distal optic nerve. (B–D) Magnifications of insets from (A) demonstrate robust axonal extension along the length of the optic nerve. (E, F) After only four weeks, NSC-derived axons can be seen approaching the optic chiasm. (G) Quantification of the number of NSC graft-derived axons counted at specific distances from the graft site. n = 6 animals per group; error bars represent SEM. (H–J) NSC-derived processes colocalize with the neuronal marker βIII-tubulin. Scale bar: 500 µm (A); 100 µm (B–G); 500 µm (H); 100 µm (I).