Astrogliogenesis in heterotopic allotransplants of rat embryonic neocortex.

ABSTRACT

We studied gliogenesis in transplants of rat embryonic neocortex (E14-15) in 3, 7, 15, and 30 days and 12-13 months after transplantation into the sciatic nerve of adult animals. Immunogistochemical reactions to intermediate filament proteins nestin, vimentin, glial fibrillary acidic protein were used. In transplants, vimentin- and nestin-positive precursor cells differentiate into astrocytes earlier that in the developing rat neocortex (in situ). One year after transplantation, some astrocytes start to express nestin and vimentin, which attests to the development of reactive gliosis in the transplants.