Comparative Analysis of the Cell Fates of Induced Schwann Cells from Subcutaneous Fat Tissue and Naïve Schwann Cells in the Sciatic Nerve Injury Model

Figure 4

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of the injured sciatic nerve at 12-week transplantation. (a) TEM of ultrathin cross section of the normal sciatic nerve. Individual axons were surrounded by dark concentric linings of compact myelin sheaths. (b) TEM of the central zone of the injured site in the eGFP-SCs transplanted group. Axons were also surrounded by compact myelin sheaths. Unlike in normal controls, axon diameters were fairly diverse. Small and loose myelin sheaths were also noted (arrows). (c) TEM of the central zone of the injured site in the eGFP-SCs group. Axon diameters and myelin sheath thickness were diverse and smaller than eGFP-SCs group, and unmyelinating Schwann cells (white arrows) were seldom observed. The space between myelinated nerve fibers was occupied by endoneurium-like cellular structures and fibrocyte/fibroblasts were observed (black arrowheads). A, axons; M, myelin sheath.

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