NG2-glia and Their Functions in the Central Nervous System

Overview

Journal Glia

Specialty Neurology

Date 2015 May 27

PMID 26010717

Citations 131

Authors

L Dimou

V Gallo

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

In the central nervous system, NG2-glia represent a neural cell population that is distinct from neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. While in the past the main role ascribed to these cells was that of progenitors for oligodendrocytes, in the last years it has become more obvious that they have further functions in the brain. Here, we will discuss some of the most current and highly debated issues regarding NG2-glia: Do these cells represent a heterogeneous population? Can they give rise to different progenies, and does this change under pathological conditions? How do they respond to injury or pathology? What is the role of neurotransmitter signaling between neurons and NG2-glia? We will first give an overview on the developmental origin of NG2-glia, and then discuss whether their distinct properties in different brain regions are the result of environmental influences, or due to intrinsic differences. We will then review and discuss their in vitro differentiation potential and in vivo lineage under physiological and pathological conditions, together with their electrophysiological properties in distinct brain regions and at different developmental stages. Finally, we will focus on their potential to be used as therapeutic targets in demyelinating and neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, this review article will highlight the importance of NG2-glia not only in the healthy, but also in the diseased brain.

Citing Articles

Role of Glial Cells and Receptors in Schizophrenia Pathogenesis.

Tizabi Y, Antonelli M, Tizabi D, Aschner M Neurochem Res. 2025; 50(2):85.

PMID: 39869278 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-025-04336-8.

A Morphological and Behavioral Study of Demyelination and Remyelination in the Cuprizone Model: Insights into APLNR and NG2+ Cell Dynamics.

Landzhov B, Gaydarski L, Stanchev S, Kostadinova I, Iliev A, Kotov G Int J Mol Sci. 2024; 25(23).

PMID: 39684720 PMC: 11641372. DOI: 10.3390/ijms252313011.

(Re)building the nervous system: A review of neuron-glia interactions from development to disease.

Demmings M, da Silva Chagas L, Traetta M, Rodrigues R, Acutain M, Barykin E J Neurochem. 2024; 169(1):e16258.

PMID: 39680483 PMC: 11649038. DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16258.

Cell therapy for neurological disorders.

Svendsen S, Svendsen C Nat Med. 2024; 30(10):2756-2770.

PMID: 39407034 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-024-03281-3.

Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 (ICAM-1): An Inflammatory Regulator with Potential Implications in Ferroptosis and Parkinson's Disease.

Miller M, Landis H, Miller R, Tizabi Y Cells. 2024; 13(18.

PMID: 39329738 PMC: 11430830. DOI: 10.3390/cells13181554.

References

Barnabe-Heider F, Goritz C, Sabelstrom H, Takebayashi H, Pfrieger F, Meletis K . Origin of new glial cells in intact and injured adult spinal cord. Cell Stem Cell. 2010; 7(4):470-82. DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2010.07.014. View

Lin S, Bergles D . Synaptic signaling between neurons and glia. Glia. 2004; 47(3):290-298. DOI: 10.1002/glia.20060. View

Ghiani C, Yuan X, Eisen A, Knutson P, DePinho R, McBain C . Voltage-activated K+ channels and membrane depolarization regulate accumulation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p27(Kip1) and p21(CIP1) in glial progenitor cells. J Neurosci. 1999; 19(13):5380-92. PMC: 6782320. View

Takebayashi H, Nabeshima Y, Yoshida S, Chisaka O, Ikenaka K, Nabeshima Y . The basic helix-loop-helix factor olig2 is essential for the development of motoneuron and oligodendrocyte lineages. Curr Biol. 2002; 12(13):1157-63. DOI: 10.1016/s0960-9822(02)00926-0. View

Guo F, Maeda Y, Ma J, Delgado M, Sohn J, Miers L . Macroglial plasticity and the origins of reactive astroglia in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. J Neurosci. 2011; 31(33):11914-28. PMC: 3167226. DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1759-11.2011. View

Tanaka K, Nogawa S, Suzuki S, Dembo T, Kosakai A . Upregulation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells associated with restoration of mature oligodendrocytes and myelination in peri-infarct area in the rat brain. Brain Res. 2003; 989(2):172-9. DOI: 10.1016/s0006-8993(03)03317-1. View

Lu Q, Yuk D, Alberta J, Zhu Z, Pawlitzky I, Chan J . Sonic hedgehog--regulated oligodendrocyte lineage genes encoding bHLH proteins in the mammalian central nervous system. Neuron. 2000; 25(2):317-29. DOI: 10.1016/s0896-6273(00)80897-1. View

Chang A, Nishiyama A, Peterson J, Prineas J, Trapp B . NG2-positive oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in adult human brain and multiple sclerosis lesions. J Neurosci. 2000; 20(17):6404-12. PMC: 6772992. View

Espinosa de Los Monteros A, Zhang M, de Vellis J . O2A progenitor cells transplanted into the neonatal rat brain develop into oligodendrocytes but not astrocytes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1993; 90(1):50-4. PMC: 45597. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.90.1.50. View

10.

Levine J, Enquist L, Card J . Reactions of oligodendrocyte precursor cells to alpha herpesvirus infection of the central nervous system. Glia. 1998; 23(4):316-28. View

11.

Mangin J, Li P, Scafidi J, Gallo V . Experience-dependent regulation of NG2 progenitors in the developing barrel cortex. Nat Neurosci. 2012; 15(9):1192-4. PMC: 3437334. DOI: 10.1038/nn.3190. View

12.

Zhao C, Deng W, Gage F . Mechanisms and functional implications of adult neurogenesis. Cell. 2008; 132(4):645-60. DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2008.01.033. View

13.

Geha S, Pallud J, Junier M, Devaux B, Leonard N, Chassoux F . NG2+/Olig2+ cells are the major cycle-related cell population of the adult human normal brain. Brain Pathol. 2009; 20(2):399-411. PMC: 8094800. DOI: 10.1111/j.1750-3639.2009.00295.x. View

14.

Saito M, Iwawaki T, Taya C, Yonekawa H, Noda M, Inui Y . Diphtheria toxin receptor-mediated conditional and targeted cell ablation in transgenic mice. Nat Biotechnol. 2001; 19(8):746-50. DOI: 10.1038/90795. View

15.

Guo Z, Zhang L, Wu Z, Chen Y, Wang F, Chen G . In vivo direct reprogramming of reactive glial cells into functional neurons after brain injury and in an Alzheimer's disease model. Cell Stem Cell. 2013; 14(2):188-202. PMC: 3967760. DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2013.12.001. View

16.

Kondo T, Raff M . Chromatin remodeling and histone modification in the conversion of oligodendrocyte precursors to neural stem cells. Genes Dev. 2004; 18(23):2963-72. PMC: 534656. DOI: 10.1101/gad.309404. View

17.

LoTurco J, Owens D, Heath M, Davis M, Kriegstein A . GABA and glutamate depolarize cortical progenitor cells and inhibit DNA synthesis. Neuron. 1995; 15(6):1287-98. DOI: 10.1016/0896-6273(95)90008-x. View

18.

Wang S, Sdrulla A, Disibio G, Bush G, Nofziger D, Hicks C . Notch receptor activation inhibits oligodendrocyte differentiation. Neuron. 1998; 21(1):63-75. DOI: 10.1016/s0896-6273(00)80515-2. View

19.

Hampton D, Asher R, Kondo T, Steeves J, Ramer M, Fawcett J . A potential role for bone morphogenetic protein signalling in glial cell fate determination following adult central nervous system injury in vivo. Eur J Neurosci. 2007; 26(11):3024-35. DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2007.05940.x. View

20.

Vigano F, Mobius W, Gotz M, Dimou L . Transplantation reveals regional differences in oligodendrocyte differentiation in the adult brain. Nat Neurosci. 2013; 16(10):1370-2. DOI: 10.1038/nn.3503. View