TGF‐β pro‐oligodendrogenic effects on adult SVZ progenitor cultures and its interaction with the Notch signaling pathway

Adult neural progenitor cells (NPCs) are capable of differentiating into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes throughout life. Notch and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‐β) signaling pathways play critical roles in controlling these cell fate decisions. TGF‐β has been previously shown to exert pro‐neurogenic effects on hippocampal and subventricular zone (SVZ) NPCs in vitro and to interact with Notch in different cellular types. Therefore, the aim of our work was to study the effect of TGF‐β on adult rat brain SVZ NPC glial commitment and its interaction with Notch signaling. Initial cell characterization revealed a large proportion of Olig2+, Nestin+, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP+) cells, a low percentage of platelet‐derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα+) or NG2+ cells, and