Imaging of Schwann cells in vivo

The ability to examine cells tagged with fluorescent proteins in vivo has led to exciting advances in molecular neurobiology. The integral role of Schwann cells in nerve regeneration is well characterized, but not until recently has dynamic imaging of these critical cells been possible. Unlike many static techniques, in vivo imaging of Schwann cells tagged with green fluorescent protein (GFP) allows for serial imaging and may provide important insights into their role in peripheral nerve regeneration. In this chapter, we describe a protocol for in vivo imaging of SC migration into nonfluorescent nerve grafts using transgenic S100-GFP mice.