Fig. 4

Engrafted BDNF-BMSCs expressed neuron-related specific markers in the spinal cord of SBA. A–D. Double fluorescent staining of BRN3A, ISLET1, SYT, and SYN with GFP in the sections of defective spinal cords with BDNF-BMSCs engraftment. Typical double-positive cells are labeled with arrows. E–H. The relative mRNA expression of BRN3A, ISLET1, SYN, and SYT in the spinal cords of BDNF-BMSC-, BMSC-, and PBS-injected groups was quantitatively analyzed by RT-qPCR (n = 12/group). I. Simple western system detection of BRN3A, ISLET1, SYN, and SYT protein in the spinal cords from SBA fetuses after intra-amniotic injection of PBS, BMSCs, and BDNF-BMSCs. Gray–white stripes were detected by the HRP channel, and red stripes were detected the by NIR channel. J–M. Quantification of relative protein levels determined from the special peak area of BRN3A, ISLET1, SYN, and SYT shown in I. N. Representative images of GFP and BRN3A double staining in defective spinal cords with BDNF-BMSCs and pure BMSC engraftment. The images in the small white box are enlarged in the lower right corner. SC: spinal cord. O. The BRN3A⁺ cells around the engrafted BMSCs-BDNF or BMSCs in defective spinal cords were counted in 40 × field (n = 6, p < 0.05). *Significant difference compared to the PBS-injected group, †Significant difference compared to the BMSC-injected group, p < 0.05