Journal: Stem Cell Reports

Article Title: The regenerative role of neural crest stem cells in physical stimuli-enhanced peripheral nerve repair

doi: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2026.102861

Figure Lengend Snippet: MES enhances peripheral nerve regeneration by recruiting NCSCs-like cells at the injury site (A–C) Representative 3D reconstructed PS-OCT images of sciatic nerves (A) without or (B) with MES in a rat sciatic transection model. The nerve conduit is indicated by translucent gray while the nerve is indicated by red-brown color. A normal sciatic nerve wrapped in the conduit was used as a (C) HC. After conduit transplantation onto the transected sciatic nerve, the injury site was subjected to MES using therapeutic shockwave (1,000 pulses per time, twice a week) for 12 weeks. The PS-OCT images and immunohistochemistry staining were conducted 12 weeks post-surgery. (D) Quantification of phase retardation of PS-OCT images at proximal and distal ends ( n = 3, mean ± SEM). (E–G) Representative immunohistochemical images showing the expression of neural crest markers SOX2, P75-NTR, and nerve regeneration factor NRG1 at the proximal/distal ends and the middle of the conduits bridging transected sciatic nerves under (E) static, (F) MES, or (G) HC conditions. (H) Representative zoomed in images of nuclear SOX2. (I–K) Quantification of histology staining intensities of (I) nuclear SOX2, (J) P75, and (K) NRG1. ∗ and ∗∗ denote statistical significance of p < 0.05 and p < 0.01. After conduit transplantation onto the transected sciatic nerve, the injury site was subjected to MES using therapeutic shockwave (1,000 pulses per time, twice a week) for 12 weeks. The PS-OCT images and immunohistochemistry staining were conducted 12 weeks post-surgery. Quantification data were collected from a total of 9 images from 3 rats for each condition.

Article Snippet: 1, a Schwann cell marker GALC after 2 weeks of culture under the control, BC, MES, and MES+BC conditions. (D) Quantification of axon length and GALC fluorescence intensity. n = 3 (biologically independent), mean ± SEM. (E) Confocal images and corresponding Imaris 3D reconstruction images of the cells after 4 weeks of culture under the control, BC, MES, and MES+BC conditions, the cells were fluorescently labeled by TUJ.

Techniques: Transplantation Assay, Immunohistochemistry, Staining, Immunohistochemical staining, Expressing

Journal: Stem Cell Reports

Article Title: The regenerative role of neural crest stem cells in physical stimuli-enhanced peripheral nerve repair

doi: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2026.102861

Figure Lengend Snippet: MES induces the multiphenotypic differentiation of NCSCs-like cells toward neurons and Schwann cells in vitro (A) Gene expression of neuronal markers NEUROD1 , MASH1 , NGN2 , and Schwann cell markers KROX20 , NCAM1 , PMP22 after 1 week of culture under the control (C), biochemical factor (BC), MES, and MES+BC conditions. n = 4 (biologically independent), mean ± SEM. (B) Confocal images showing the expression of neuronal markers (beta III tubulin [TUJ. 1] and NEUN) after 0, 1, and 2 weeks of culture under the control, BC, MES, and MES+BC conditions. (C) Confocal images showing the expression of a neuronal marker TUJ. 1, a Schwann cell marker GALC after 2 weeks of culture under the control, BC, MES, and MES+BC conditions. (D) Quantification of axon length and GALC fluorescence intensity. n = 3 (biologically independent), mean ± SEM. (E) Confocal images and corresponding Imaris 3D reconstruction images of the cells after 4 weeks of culture under the control, BC, MES, and MES+BC conditions, the cells were fluorescently labeled by TUJ. 1 and GALC. NCSC-like cells were subjected to acoustic actuator stimulation as MES, biochemical factor NRG1 stimulation as BC, or the combination of both as MES+BC. The cells were stimulated for 2 h daily for either 2 weeks or 4 weeks ∗ and ∗∗ denote statistical significance of p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively. ∗ and ∗∗ denote statistical significance p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively.

Article Snippet: 1, a Schwann cell marker GALC after 2 weeks of culture under the control, BC, MES, and MES+BC conditions. (D) Quantification of axon length and GALC fluorescence intensity. n = 3 (biologically independent), mean ± SEM. (E) Confocal images and corresponding Imaris 3D reconstruction images of the cells after 4 weeks of culture under the control, BC, MES, and MES+BC conditions, the cells were fluorescently labeled by TUJ.

Techniques: In Vitro, Gene Expression, Control, Expressing, Marker, Fluorescence, Labeling