Fig. 5

Overview of current immunological results via IHC, RNAseq, and RT-qPCR from Smith et al. [14, 15]. A Heat map of average measurements from immunohistochemical (IHC) stains (top 9 rows) and TEM images (bottom 6 rows) for Unoperated Control nerves, PEG-fused and Negative Control PNAs, and Negative Control Autografts at 7, 14, and/or 21 days PO. All values are relative to Unoperated Control values (white) and are normalized to a − 1 to 1 scale. Key: White to blue indicates a less inflammatory response; pink to red indicates a more inflammatory response. B Mapping of RNAseq data (differentially expressed genes compared between PEG-fused PNAs vs Negative Control PNAs sampled at 14-day PO) to the KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) Allograft Rejection pathway (2nd most highly enriched for downregulated transcripts in the PEG-fused PNA vs Negative Control PNA comparison via functional annotation) showing key molecules and processes involved in allograft rejection (ordered left to right in the diagram). Upregulated transcripts (pink tiles), downregulated transcripts (blue tiles), and transcripts that are part of the pathway, but not included in our list of DEGs (white tiles) are shown. No upregulated transcripts in PEG-fused PNAs mapped to the KEGG Allograft Rejection pathway. Solid arrows represent protein interactions, while dashed arrows pointing to or from T cells represent T cell differentiation into effector phenotypes. Dotted arrows point to a subsequent event. This diagram has been stylistically redrawn and