FGF modulates the PDGF-driven pathway of oligodendrocyte development

  • Randall D. McKinnon
  • , Toshimitsu Matsui
  • , Monique Dubois-Dalcq
  • , Stuart A. Aaronsont

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

556 Scopus citations

Abstract

PDGF promotes the growth of oligodendrocyte type-2 astrocyte (O-2A) glial progenitor cells and allows their timely differentiation into oligodendrocytes, the CNS myelin-forming cells. We demonstrate that basic FGF is a potent mitogen for brain O-2A progenitor cells, but blocks their differentiation into oligodendrocytes. Treatment with basic FGF also influences the level of expression of PDGF receptors on O-2A progenitor cells. These cells express only the a chain PDGF receptor, and the levels of PDGF a receptors decrease as the cells differentiate. In contrast, basic FGF maintains a high level of functionally responsive PDGF a receptors in O-2A progenitors. Thus basic FGF activates a signaling pathway that can positively regulate PDGF receptors in O-2A progenitor cells. In this way basic FGF or an FGF-like factor may modulate the production of myelin-forming cells in the CNS.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)603-614
Number of pages12
JournalNeuron
Volume5
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1990
Externally publishedYes

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