NG2+ glial cells: a novel glial cell population in the adult brain

J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. 1999 Nov;58(11):1113-24. doi: 10.1097/00005072-199911000-00001.

Abstract

We describe a major glial cell population in the central nervous system (CNS) that can be identified by the expression of 2 cell surface molecules, the NG2 proteoglycan and the alpha receptor for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF alphaR). In vitro and in the developing brain in vivo, NG2 and PDGF alphaR are expressed on oligodendrocyte progenitor cells but are down-regulated as the progenitor cells differentiate into mature oligodendrocytes. In the mature CNS, numerous NG2+/PDGF alphaR+ cells with extensive arborization of their cell processes are found ubiquitously long after oligodendrocytes are generated. NG2+ cells in the mature CNS do not express antigens specific to mature oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, microglia, or neurons, suggesting that they are a novel population of glial cells. Recently NG2+ cells in the adult CNS have been shown to undergo proliferation and morphological changes in response to a variety of stimuli, such as demyelination and inflammation, suggesting that they are dynamic cells capable of responding to changes in the environment. Furthermore, high levels of NG2+ and PDGF alphaR are expressed on oligodendroglioma cells, raising the possibility that the NG2+/PDGF alphaR+ cells in the mature CNS contribute to glial neoplasm.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Antigens / analysis*
  • Brain / cytology*
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain Diseases / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Jimpy
  • Neuroglia / chemistry*
  • Neuroglia / cytology*
  • Proteoglycans / analysis*

Substances

  • Antigens
  • Proteoglycans
  • chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4