PDGFRα-Positive B Cells Are Neural Stem Cells in the Adult SVZ that Form Glioma-like Growths in Response to Increased PDGF Signaling

SummaryNeurons and oligodendrocytes are produced in the adult brain subventricular zone (SVZ) from neural stem cells (B cells), which express GFAP and have morphological properties of astrocytes. We report here on the identification B cells expressing the PDGFRα in the adult SVZ. Specifically labeled PDGFRα expressing B cells in vivo generate neurons and oligodendrocytes. Conditional ablation of PDGFRα in a subpopulation of postnatal stem cells showed that this receptor is required for oligodendrogenesis, but not neurogenesis. Infusion of PDGF alone was sufficient to arrest neuroblast production and induce SVZ B cell proliferation contributing to the generation of large hyperplasias with some features of gliomas. The work demonstrates that PDGFRα signaling occurs early in the adult stem cell lineage and may help regulate the balance between oligodendrocyte and neuron production. Excessive PDGF activation in the SVZ in stem cells is sufficient to induce hallmarks associated with early stages of tumor formation.