Fig. 5

BMDCs are neuroprotective in the MPTP mouse model. GM-CSF-generated BMDCs were cultured in media alone, harvested, and 1.5 × 10⁶ in 0.25 mls were transferred i.v. at one and two weeks prior to intoxication with four 16 mg/kg doses of MPTP. Mice that received PBS or MPTP alone served as controls. Seven days after MPTP intoxication, brains were removed, frozen, and cryosectioned at 30 μm/section to contain the substantia nigra and striatum. Sections were stained by immunohistochemistry for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and nigral sections were counter stained for Nissl substance. Scale bar is 200 μm. Total dopaminergic neurons (TH+Nissl+) and non-dopaminergic neurons (TH-Nissl+) in the substantia nigra were estimated by stereological analysis for mice treated with PBS (n = 6), MPTP (n = 8), or BMDCs and MPTP (n = 7). Scale bar is 1 mm. Density of TH termini in the striatum was determined for 1.4 mm² area for 4–6 sections for each striatum from mice treated with PBS (n = 7), MPTP (n = 7), or BMDCs and MPTP (n = 6). Relative densities were normalized to that of the PBS control (100% relative density). Means ± SEM of total number of nigral neurons or means ± SEM) of relative striatal TH densities were assessed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test whereby p ≤ 0.05 compared to mice treated ^aPBS or ^bMPTP alone