PDGF autocrine stimulation dedifferentiates cultured astrocytes and induces oligodendrogliomas and oligoastrocytomas from neural progenitors and astrocytes in vivo

Some low-grade oligodendrogliomas may be made up of proliferating glial progenitor cells blocked in ability to differentiate based on new research. Malignant gliomas have acquired other mutations as well. Chronic autocrine PDGF signaling can promote a proliferating population of glial precursors potentially adequate to bring on gliomagenesis.