Double immunolabeling Pax2 (red)-Zn8 (green) with DAPI (blue) in the ONH.

<p>(<b>A</b>) Pax2⁺ cells are arranged close to the Zn8⁺ young RGC axons throughout the control ONH. Square enlarged in C. (<b>B</b>) Statistical analysis of the Pax2⁺ cell density in the ONH during regeneration. The asterisk indicates the significant differences (*0.05C) Detail of the optic disc showing Pax2⁺ (arrows) close to the Zn8⁺ young RGC axons (empty arrow). (<b>D</b>) Detail of the optic disc 7 d after injury showing the Pax2⁺ cells barely labeled (arrows). (<b>E</b>) Detail of the optic disc 21 d after injury showing the Pax2⁺ cells (arrows) close to the Zn8⁺ regenerating axons (empty arrow). (<b>F</b>) Detail of the optic disc 90 d after injury showing Pax2⁺ cells (arrows) close to the Zn8⁺ regenerating axons in the growing edge (empty arrows) and in the mature ONH (empty arrowhead). (<b>G</b>) Zn8⁺ RGC axons (empty arrows) in the control PGZ. (<b>H</b>) Zn8⁺ RGC axons (empty arrows) in the PGZ 30 d post-lesion. Scale bars: A: 100 µm; C–F: 20 µm; G–H: 50 µm. CA: central artery; GCL: ganglion cell layer; INL: inner nuclear layer; IPL: inner plexiform layer; NFL: nerve fiber layer; PGZ: proliferative growth zone.