Figure 4

Representative images of immunohistochemical staining of BrdU and S-100. A: Localization of darkly brownish stained BrdU⁺ cells to transected tissues of rabbits having a segment of facial nerve fiber removed and implanted with NSC and HA-collagen scaffold, or NSC-embedded NT-3-supplemented HA-collagen composite scaffold, for 12 weeks (800× magnification). B: Brownish stained S-100+ facial nerve fibers in regular waves in normal tissue section of rabbits. No hyperplasia was detected (400× magnification). C: Waves of S-100⁺ nerve fibers in a less organized manner and hyperplasia of connective tissue were noted in tissues of rabbits after facial nerve fiber transection and implantation of NSC-embedded NT-3-supplemented HA-collagen composite scaffold for 12 weeks (400× magnification).