PDGFRα expression distinguishes GFAP-expressing neural stem cells from PDGF-responsive neural precursors in the adult periventricular area.

Jackson et al. (2006) have reported that adult glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP)-expressing neural stem cells (NSCs) also express platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor-α (PDGFRα), and that their stimulation by PDGF induced the formation of a glioma-like mass. Here, we reexamined the relationship between PDGFRα and GFAP expression within the three-dimensional organization of the adult periventricular area. Using four independent PDGFRα antibodies, we found that adult mouse GFAP-expressing NSCs and PDGFRα-expressing cells represent two distinct populations of neural precursors. Examination of the adult periventricular area in a mouse line that expresses nuclear-localized enhanced green fluorescent protein under the control of the PDGFRα promoter confirmed that GFAP-expressing NSCs do not express PDGFRα. Furthermore, PDGF-responsive neural precursors were found at least one cell layer subjacent to the ependymal layer, and were evenly distributed across the lateral ventricular wall, which contrasts with the reported patchy and often ependymal localization of adult GFAP-expressing NSCs. Adult human PDGFRα-expressing neural precursors were also found not to express GFAP. PDGF-responsive neural precursors, but not GFAP-expressing NSCs, responded to infusions of PDGF by generating glioma-like masses. Our results do not support the view that GFAP-expressing NSCs are the origin of glioma-like masses that form after intraventricular PDGF infusion.