Early cortical precursors do not undergo LIF-mediated astrocytic differentiation

Multipotential stem cells have been isolated from the developing and adult CNS. Similar identified factors control the differentiation of these cells. A striking example is the instructive action of CNTF/LIF activating the JA W STAT pathway to induce astrocytic differentiation in both fetal and adult CNS stem cells. Here we show that E12 cortical precursors express function al LIF receptors but do not exhibit this differentiation response to CNTF/L IF either in explant or in dissociated cell culture. The lack of response t o LIF-induced astrocytic differentiation is maintained in cocultures with L IF responsive cells derived from E15 cortex. This suggests cell intrinsic d ifferences between early and late stage precursors in the interpretation of LIF-mediated signaling; however, the early nestin-positive precursor popul ation differentiates into both neurons and neural crest derivatives. These data define differences between CNS stem cells from different stages of cor tical development. Published 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.(dagger)