A chimeric receptor of the insulin-like growth factor receptor type 1 (IGFR1) and a single chain antibody specific to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein activates the IGF1R signalling cascade in CG4 oligodendrocyte progenitors

► The aim is to produce neural progenitor cells capable of insulin-like-growth-factor (IGF)-independent growth. ► This study characterises a chimeric receptor (ChR) with the IGF receptor type 1 signalling domain. ► The ectodomain of the ChR is a single chain antibody to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), a brain-specific ligand. ► ChR activation is shown by increased phosphotyrosine content and dimerization in response to MOG. ► CG4 oligodendrocyte progenitors transduced with the ChR and expressing endogenous MOG grow independently of insulin.