The activation of NG2 expressing cells is downstream to microglial reaction and mediated by the transforming growth factor beta 1

• The activation of NG2 glia induced by LPS was blocked by microglial inhibitors.
• Earlier increase in the number of NG2+ microglia was inhibited by anti-TGF-β1.
• Inhibition of TGF-β1 Smad2/3 signalling pathway led to a less activation of NG2+ cells.

In the present study, we investigated the mechanism of activation of NG2 expressing cells. Application of microglial inhibitors not only attenuated morphological changes but also significantly retarded increase in the number of NG2 expressing cells. Intracerebral injection of TGF-β1 led to a profound activation of NG2 glia as well as an earlier accumulation of NG2+-microglia, whilst inhibition of TGF-β1 Smad2/3 signalling pathway eventually attenuated their active responses. We conclude that the activation of NG2 expressing cells is an event downstream to microglial reaction and TGF-β1 secreted from microglia might play an important role in modulation of the function of NG2 expressing cells.