Neurogenic potential of NG2 in neurotrauma: a systematic review

This review investigates the regenerative potential of neural-glial antigen 2 (NG2) cells after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI). NG2 cells, normally precursors to oligodendrocytes, can potentially transform into neurons, offering a therapeutic avenue for neurotrauma. The study reviewed 1504 papers to find studies that explored inducing neurogenesis in NG2 cells following TBI or SCI in animal models. The focus was on assessing the utility of NG2 cells in treating primary injuries resulting from neurotrauma. The review found that manipulating NG2 cells, particularly through genetic reprogramming, can induce them to become functional neurons in animal models of TBI and SCI. This suggests that NG2 cell neurogenesis could be a viable therapeutic strategy for neurotrauma.

• 1
  NG2 cells possess an inducible neurogenic potential in animal models and in vitro, and this can be promoted by pharmacological and genetic approaches.
• 2
  Genetic manipulations and ex vivo transplantations of NG2 glial cells were apparent and were employed in most of the studies regardless of the chosen trauma type.
• 3
  Pharmacological treatments, particularly EGFR inhibition, can promote neurological differentiation from NG2 cells, offering a faster route to clinical translation compared to genetic manipulation.