Fig. 4.

Differentiation of neural precursor cells (NPCs) into astrocytes is delayed in Oasis ^−/− mice. Immunohistochemical analysis of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) (a, b) and nestin (c, d) in the cerebral cortices of E18.5 WT and Oasis ^−/− mice. The number of GFAP-positive cells was lower, and that of nestin-positive cells was higher in Oasis ^−/− mice. Yellow lines Surfaces of cerebral cortices. Bar 100 μM. e Primary cultured NPCs were prepared from the telencephalons of E14.5 WT and Oasis ^−/− mice. Cells were treated with leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) to promote the differentiation of NPCs into astrocytes. f RT-PCR analysis of Gfap and Nestin in primary cultured NPCs treated with LIF and BMP2 for the indicated times. The up-regulation of Gfap and the down-regulation of Nestin are inhibited in Oasis ^−/− cells