Both DPSCs from individuals with NF1 (NF1 DPSCs) and control cultures were positive for CD90, CD105, CD146 and negative for CD13, CD14, CD45 and CD271, and successfully differentiated after the protocols.
Four markers with varying degrees of linkage to NF1 have been physically localized and ordered by the panel: the loosely linked markers myosin heavy chain 2 (25 cM) to p12----13.105 and nerve growth factor receptor (14 cM) to q21.1----q23; the more closely linked pABL10-41 (D17S71, 5 cM) to p11.2; and the tightly linked pHHH202 (D17S33) to q11.2-q12.
However, crossovers with the VRNF locus suggest that a mutation in the nerve growth factor receptor gene itself is unlikely to be the fundamental defect responsible for the VRNF phenotype.