Fig. 3

Mobilization of CM-DiI labeled BMSC by in vivo fluorescent imaging and cryosections. a Optical image of BMSC in a state of dissociation. b Fluorescent image of dissociated BMSC labeled with CM-DiI. Identical markings demarcate the same cells on optical images (a) and fluorescent image (b). c The spinal cord of BMSC-treated rats showed significant fluorescence at 6 and 14 days post-surgery. Rectangle a indicates the cavosurface of canalis spinalis which were removed caudally before imaging, and rectangle b indicates the lumbar enlargement. Pseudocolor images representing fluorescence signal intensity (crimson is the least intense and yellow is the most intense). d–f Cryosections of the spinal cord and DRG counterstained with DAPI for the nuclei. Grafted BMSC in the slices should be red and cell nuclei blue. d Full spinal cord section. e Photograph of the spinal dorsal horn. f Full DRG section. g Paw withdrawals decreased transiently when BMSC lysates were injected at day 6 post CCD. h Paw withdrawals also decreased transiently when BMSC lysates were injected at day 14 post CCD. **p < 0.01