VEGFR2‐EGFR signaling maintains the self‐renewal ability of spinal cord NSCs. A, Spinal cord NSCs express VEGFR2 but not VEGFR1 in vitro. Scale bar represents 200 µm. B, VEGF at 20 and 100 ng/mL phosphorylate VEGFR2 and EGFR. C, Inhibitor of pVEGFR2, cabozantinib, blocks the phosphorylation of VEGFR2 and EGFR. Cabozantinib (dissolved in DMSO), 1 µM. D, Cabozantinib decreases the diameters of spinal cord neurospheres. Cabozantinib, 1 µM P = 0.019. E, Inhibitors of EGFR and VEGFR2 block the self‐renewal of spinal cord NSCs. Both cabozantinib and gefitinib are used at 1 µM. F, Calcium‐chelating agent EGTA inhibits VEGF‐induced pEGFR signaling. 10 min for VEGF stimulation. VEGF, 100 ng/mL. EGTA, 1.5 mM