A glial progenitor cell that develops in vitro into an astrocyte or an oligodendrocyte depending on culture medium

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Abstract
A cell type was identified in 7-day-old rat optic nerve that differentiates into a fibrous astrocyte if cultured in the presence of fetal calf serum and into an oligodendrocyte if cultured in the absence of serum. In certain conditions some of these cells acquire a mixed phenotype, displaying properties of both astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Apparently, fibrous astrocytes and oligodendrocytes develop from a common progenitor cell. This is a striking example of developmental plasticity and environmental influence in the differentiation of CNS glial cells.