CNS Myelin Sheath Lengths Are an Intrinsic Property of Oligodendrocytes The authors showed that oligodendrocytes respond to fiber diameters and that spinal cord oligodendrocytes generate longer sheaths than cortical oligodendrocytes on fibers, co-cultures, and explants, revealing that oligodendrocytes have regional identity and generate different sheath lengths that mirror internodes in vivo. [Curr Biol] Full Article | Graphical Abstract VPS35 Deficiency or Mutation Causes Dopaminergic Neuronal Loss by Impairing Mitochondrial Fusion and Function Investigators showed that specific deletion of the vacuolar protein sorting-35 (VPS35) gene in dopamine (DA) neurons resulted in Parkinson’s disease-like deficits, including loss of DA neurons and accumulation of α-synuclein. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract Efficacy of Systemic Adoptive Transfer Immunotherapy Targeting NY-ESO-1 for Glioblastoma The authors utilized human glioblastoma cell cultures to induce expression of New York–esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (NY-ESO-1) following in vitro treatment with the demethylating agent decitabine. They then investigated the phenotype of lymphocytes specific for NY-ESO-1 using flow cytometry analysis and cytotoxicity against cells treated with decitabine using the xCelligence real-time cytotoxicity assay. [Neuro Oncol] Abstract | Press Release TIMP3 Attenuates the Loss of Neural Stem Cells, Mature Neurons and Neurocognitive Dysfunction in Traumatic Brain Injury Scientists demonstrated that tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP3), a soluble protein released by mesenchymal stem cells, is neuroprotective and enhances neuronal survival and neurite outgrowth in vitro. [Stem Cells] Abstract Retinal Synaptic Regeneration via Microfluidic Guiding Channels Retinal precursor cells were cultured in a microfluidic chip with multiple arrays of microchannels in order to reconstruct the retinal neuronal synapse. [Sci Rep] Full Article CEND1 and NEUROGENIN2 Reprogram Mouse Astrocytes and Embryonic Fibroblasts to Induced Neural Precursors and Differentiated Neurons Researchers explored the effect of CEND1 and NEUROG2 on reprogramming of mouse cortical astrocytes and embryonic fibroblasts. Forced expression of CEND1, NEUROG2, or both resulted in acquisition of induced neuronal cells expressing subtype-specific markers, while long-term live-cell imaging highlighted the existence of two different modes of neuronal trans-differentiation. [Stem Cell Rep] Full Article Intracellular Magnesium Level Determines Cell Viability in the MPP+ Model of Parkinson’s Disease The authors investigated intracellular Mg2+ concentration and its effect on neurodegeneration in the 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) model of Parkinson’s disease in differentiated PC12 cells. [Biochim Biophys Acta] Abstract Downregulated AEG-1 Together with Inhibited PI3K/Akt Pathway Is Associated with Reduced Viability of Motor Neurons in an ALS Model Scientists investigated how astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1) participates in the survival pathway of motor neurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). They found reduced levels of AEG-1 in ALS motor neurons, both in vivo and in vitro, compared to wild type controls. [Mol Cell Neurosci] Abstract Silk 3D Matrices Incorporating Human Neural Progenitor Cells for Neural Tissue Engineering Applications Silk fibroin three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds from mulberry and non-mulberry silks were designed to provide structural support to maintain the native function of normal tissues. The 3D scaffolds were examined by culturing human neural progenitor cells, which demonstrated good cell viability and proliferation over 14 days. [Polymer J] Abstract Selected SNARE Proteins Are Essential for the Polarized Membrane Insertion of IGF-1 Receptor and the Regulation of Initial Axonal Outgrowth in Neurons Researchers showed that five SNARE proteins were expressed by hippocampal pyramidal neurons before polarization. Expression silencing of three of these proteins repressed axonal outgrowth and the establishment of neuronal polarity, by inhibiting IGF-1 receptor exocytotic polarized insertion, necessary for neuronal polarization. [Cell Discov] Full Article | Video |