Identification of mesencephalic neural stem cells overexpressing GDNF (GDNF-mNCSs).

<p>(A) Fluorescence photomicrographs show that all neurospheres were immunoreactive for the NSCs marker nestin. The neurospheres of peGFPN1-GDNF-transfected mNSCs (termed GDNF-mNSCs) were strong immunopositive for GDNF compare to mNSCs transfected with peGFPN1. Green: FITC, Red: TRITC. Scale bar = 50 µm. (B) Prussian blue staining and transmission electron microscopy confirmed SPIO particles in the cytoplasm of mNSCs. (C) GDNF mRNA expression in GDNF-mNSCs compared to mNSCs transfected with peGFPN1 (termed control mNSCs) was determined by RT-PCR. β-actin was used as an internal control. (D) GDNF protein expression in GDNF-mNSCs and control mNSCs was determined by Western blot. Relative protein expression was normalized to β-actin. The data represents the mean ± SD. *<i>P</i><0.05 <i>vs.</i> control mNSCs. peGFPN1-GDNF-transfected mNSCs (termed GDNF-mNSCs); mNSCs expressing empty vector (termed control mNSCs).