Comparative study by S-100 and GFAP immunohistochemistry of glial cell populations in the early stages of human spinal cord development.

The present study reports the presence and distribution of S-100-containing cells in the developing human spinal cord. From the earliest stages investigated, S-100-immunostained cells bordered the ventral third of the central canal or appeared dispersed in the basal lamina. On the other hand, radial glia processes were clearly depicted after GFAP immunolabelling. The presence and peculiar distribution of S-100-immunoreactive cells could be significant in the study of the early events of glial differentiation and migration.