Femke Mathot

8 Stem cells on nerve graft substitutes 135 Figure 6. Cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy images of the Avance® Nerve Graft (A and C) and the NeuraGen® Nerve Guide (B and D) after 12 hours of dynamic seeding with human MSCs. Both nerve substitutes were cut longitudinally. The cross-section of the Avance® Nerve Graft shows aligned fascicles without the presence of any cells. The cross-section of the NeuraGen® Nerve Guide demonstrates the smooth inner surface of the hollow conduit, with MSCs spread out among the entire length of the nerve guide. Figure 7. Hoechst-stained cross-sectional segments of the Avance® Nerve Graft (A) and the NeuraGen® Nerve Guide (B) after 12 hours of dynamic seeding with human MSCs. Cell nuclei, labeled in bright blue, are displayed among the outer surface of the Avance® Nerve Graft (left) and on both the inner and outer surface of the NeuraGen® Nerve Guide (right).