Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells (AEP)

Oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) derived from the anterior entopeduncular (AEP) together with OPCs derived from the medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) are the first-born oligodendrocytes in the telencephalon. These cells arise from Nkx2.1+ progenitor cells, undergo extensive proliferation, migrate into the cortex at E16 in mice and postnatally mature into myelinating oligodendrocytes. Most of the early-born oligodendrocytes disappear after birth; thus, the majority of mature oligodendrocytes are cortical-derived cells.