Acta Anatomica Sinica

AAS ›› 2013, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (5 ): 694-698.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.0529-1356.2013.05.022

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Expression of neuronal nuclear antigen and neuron-specific enolase in the developing spinal cord of human embryos

LIU Xue-hong ZHANG Yong CHEN Jian-er*   

  1. School of Medicine, Shaoxing University, Zhejiang Shaoxing 312000, China
  • Received:2013-05-28 Revised:2013-06-27 Online:2013-10-06 Published:2013-10-06

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the neuronal nuclear antigen(NeuN) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) distribution in the developing stage of the human embryonic spinal cord and their clinical significance. Methods Sixteen cases of human embryos, from 2 to 4 month-age were used in the present study. Immunohistochemical staining was uesd to detect the expression and distribution of NeuN and NSE in the anterior and posterior horn of the spinal cord.
Results At the second month of gestation, NeuN negative expression in posterior horn and NSE positive expression in some cells of the posterior horn were observed. At the third months, NeuN positive expression was first in some cells, and NSE was widely expressed in the posterior horn. At the fourth month, the number and intensity of NeuN positive expression were higher than before, and NSE positive expression was similar to that at the third month. From the second to fourth month of gestation, NeuN and NSE positive expressions were extensive in the anterior horn of human embryonic spinal cord.
Conclusion NeuN and NSE positive expressions are appeared earlier in the anterior horn than posterior horn. From the second to fourth month of gestation, NeuN and NSE may regulate neurons in the mature process during the growth and development of human embryonic spinal cord.

Key words: Spinal cord, Neuronal nuclear antigen, Neuron-specific enolase, Immunohistochemistry, Human embryo