Figure 4. NF1-associated low-grade tumors are composed of a heterogeneous collection of cell types.

(A) NF1-associated neurofibromas contain neoplastic NF1-deficient Schwann cells as well as NF1+/− mast cells, endothelial cells and fibroblasts that each contribute to neurofibroma formation and growth. (B) Similarly, NF1-associated optic gliomas contain NF1-deficient neoplastic glial cell types (astrocytes, glioma stem cells) coupled with NF1+/− astrocytes, neurons and microglia, which also participate in gliomagenesis and continued growth. Both the neoplastic and non-neoplastic cell types represent targets for therapeutic drug targeting.