The bHLH (basic helix-loop-helix) transcription factor Mash1 is best known for its role in the regulation of neurogenesis. However, Mash1 is also expressed in oligodendrocyte precursors and has recently been shown to promote the generation of oligodendrocytes in cell culture, suggesting that it may regulate oligodendrogenesis as well. Here, we show that in the developing ventral forebrain, Mash...

We have established and efficient system to specify NG2/PDGF-Rα/OLIG2+ oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) at low, physiological (3%) oxygen levels. This was achieved via both forebrain and spinal cord origins, with up to 98% of cells expressing NG2. Developmental insights reveal a critical role for fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) in OLIG2 induction...

Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive astrocytes (type B cells) in the subventricular zone (SVZ) generate large numbers of new neurons in the adult brain. SVZ stem cells can also generate oligodendrocytes in vitro, but it is not known whether these adult primary progenitors generate oligodendrocytes in vivo. Myelin repair and oligodendrocyte formation in the adult brain is instead ass...

Pilocytic astrocytoma is a low-grade glioma that occurs mainly in cerebellum of children, and young adults. The article is a rare case report of pilocytic astrocytoma with angiocentric arrangement in the supratentorial region of a 39-year-old female. Immunohistochemical markers, including GFAP, Vimentin, S-100, CD56, NeuN and Olig2, showed positive expression in tumor cells. The proliferation i...