Polydendrocytes (NG2 cells): multifunctional cells with lineage plasticity
Abstract
NG2 cells (also known as polydendrocytes) are a population of CNS cells that are distinct from neurons, mature oligodendrocytes, astrocytes and microglia. They can be identified by the expression of the proteoglycan NG2, have a highly branched morphology and are distributed throughout the grey and white matter. They differentiate into oligodendrocytes in vitro and have often been equated with oligodendrocyte precursor cells. However, whether polydendrocytes are multipotential cells that can give rise to neurons and astrocytes as well as oligodendrocytes is now highly debated. Furthermore, electrophysiological studies indicate that polydendrocytes receive synaptic input from neurons, suggesting that they are integrated in the neural network. This Review highlights recent findings and unresolved questions related to the lineage and function of polydendrocytes in the CNS.
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Cluster 3 represents oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs), indicated by uniquely high expression of Cspg4 and Pdgfra.
“The uniquely high expression of Cspg4 and Pdgfra (Figure 7A) - markers of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs, also known as NG2 glia) (Nishiyama et al., 2009), indicated that this cluster represented OPCs.”
From Overexpressing low‐density lipoprotein receptor reduces tau‐associated neurodegeneration in relation to apoE‐linked mechanisms (2021) · cites this paper as Nishiyama et al., 2009
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- Authors
- Nishiyama, A., Komitova, M., Suzuki, R., & Zhu, X.
- Affiliations
- University of Connecticut (US)
- Corresponding author
- Nishiyama, Akiko
- Venue
- Nature Reviews Neuroscience
- Published
- 2009-01
- Volume
- 10
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 9-22
- ISSN
- 1471-003X (ISSN-L)
- 1471-0048
- OpenAlex
- W1976152949
- Cited by
- 865
- References
- 9
- Citations by year
- 2026: 34 · 2025: 25 · 2024: 36 · 2023: 39 · 2022: 30 · 2021: 47 · 2020: 49 · 2019: 46 · 2018: 48 · 2017: 41 · 2016: 69 · 2015: 68 · 2014: 55 · 2013: 67 · 2012: 53
- FWCI
- 3.79
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Nature reviews. Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Science Foundation
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Developmental Neuroscience › Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
- Keywords
- oligodendrocyte precursor cells, NG2 proteoglycan, lineage plasticity, multipotency, oligodendrocyte differentiation, astrocyte differentiation, neuronal differentiation, synaptic input, central nervous system development
- MeSH terms
- Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan 4, Animals, Antigens, Cell Differentiation, Central Nervous System, Gangliosides, Models, Biological, Neuronal Plasticity, Oligodendroglia, Proteoglycans, Stem Cells, Cell Lineage
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