Fig 1: Astrocytes (green) and NG2+ (yellow) cells in the VH. Immunoelectron microscopic images of intact (A,B) and injured spinal cord 30 dpi 3–5 mm (C) and 6–8 mm (D) caudally from the epicenter. Asterisks denote 10 nm golden nanoparticles (anti-NG2 antibody) and arrows highlight 5 nm golden nanoparticles (anti-ALDH1L1 antibody). (A) In the VH of the intact spinal cord, a positive reaction to NG2 proteoglycan was detected in the cytoplasm of oligodendrocytes and myelin membranes, as well as in a small amount along the plasma membranes in the processes of astrocytes, including those adjacent to the neuron. In NG2+ glia, the ALDH1L1 immunopositive reaction was not observed. (B) High ALDH1L1 immunoreactivity was found in the cytoplasm of astrocytes. The belonging of cells to astrocytes can be estimated by the presence in the cytoplasm of characteristic lumps of average electron density and filaments 15 nm in diameter (head arrow). (C) At 30 dpi, the distributions of NG2 proteoglycan and ALDH1L1 were similar to those of the intact spinal cord. At the same time, the expression of NG2 proteoglycan in NG2+ glial cells, oligodendrocytes (C), and reactive astrocytes (D) was visually more intense. Higher-magnification view of the dashed boxed area in the (C'). as – astrocyte; ax – axon; epr – endoplasmic reticulum; mt – mitochondria; my – myelin; n – neuron. Scale bar: 500 nm (A,B) and 1 µm (C,D).