Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor-α in Ventricular Zone Cells and in Developing Neurons

Cells in the early neuroepithelium differentiate and give rise to all cells in the central nervous system (CNS). The ways from a multipotent CNS stem cell to specialized neurons and glia are not fully understood. Using immunohistochemistry we found that neuroepithelial cells express the platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α (PDGFR-α) in the neural plate at embryonic day 8.5 and onwards in the neural tube. The protein was polarized to ventricular endfeet. Furthermore, PDGFR-α expression was localized to cells undergoing early neuronal development. We also found PDGFR-α expression in developing granule cells in the postnatal cerebellum, in Purkinje cells in the adult cerebellum and on processes of developing dorsal root ganglion cells. Previous reports mainly describe PDGFR-α expression in oligodendrocyte precursors and glial cells. We believe, in line with a few previous reports, that the PDGFR-α in addition marks a pool of undifferentiated cells, which are able to differentiate into neurons.