Tripartite Containing Motif 32 Modulates Proliferation of Human Neural Precursor Cells in HIV-1 Neurodegeneration Using primary cultures of human fetal brain-derived human neural precursor cells (NPCs), scientists gained novel insights into the role of a neural stem cell determinant, tripartite containing motif 32, in HIV-1 Tat-induced quiescence of NPCs. [Cell Death Differ] Full Article Combining Suppression of Stemness with Lineage-Specific Induction Leads to Conversion of Pluripotent Cells into Functional Neurons The authors describe a strategy that relies on a combination of Sox2 inhibition with lineage-specific induction to promote efficient and selective differentiation of pluripotent P19 cells into neurons. [Chem Biol] Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release Multidrug Resistance Protein 1 Reduces the Aggregation of Mutant Huntingtin in Neuronal Cells Derived from the Huntington’s Disease R6/2 Model Using neuronal stem cells from R6/2 mice, researchers developed an in vitro Huntington’s disease model to test mutant huntingtin (mHtt) accumulation in the nuclei of neurons. When multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1) activity in cells was decreased by verapamil or siRNA, mHtt aggregation in the nuclei increased, whereas the induction of MDR1 resulted in a decrease in mHtt aggregation. [Sci Rep] Full Article The Specification and Maturation of Nociceptive Neurons from Human Embryonic Stem Cells The authors describe a system for efficiently guiding human embryonic stem cells into nociceptive neurons by first inducing these cells to the neural lineage. Subsequent addition of retinoic acid and BMP4 at specific time points and concentrations yielded a high population of neural crest progenitor cells, which further differentiated into nociceptive neurons. [Sci Rep] Full Article Upregulated miRNA-622 Inhibited Cell Proliferation, Motility, and Invasion via Repressing Kirsten Rat Sarcoma in Glioblastoma Researchers conducted in vitro experiments as well as clinical studies in a cohort of 20 glioblastoma samples. They demonstrated that microRNA (miR)-622 expression was lower in tumor tissues and cells, when compared to normal brain tissues and normal human astrocyte cells, while K-Ras messenger RNA and protein showed the opposite expression profile. [Tumor Biol] Abstract Long-Term Fate Mapping Using Conditional Lentiviral Vectors Reveals a Continuous Contribution of Radial Glia-Like Cells to Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Mice Scientists studied neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus with bioluminescence imaging and histological techniques. Stereotactic injection of the Cre-Flex vectors into the dentate gyrus of transgenic Nestin-Cre mice resulted in specific labeling of the nestin-positive neural stem cells. [PLoS One] Full Article Siloxane Nanoprobes for Labeling and Dual Modality Functional Imaging of Neural Stem Cells Scientists recently reported a new nanoprobe platform for cell labeling and imaging using fluorophore doped siloxane core nanoemulsions as dual modality, dual-functional nanoprobes. In this study they successfully demonstrated the labeling, dual-modality imaging, and oximetry of neural progenitor/stem cells in vitro using this platform. [Ann Biomed Eng] Abstract Self-Amplified BDNF Transcription Is a Regulatory System for Synaptic Maturation in Cultured Cortical Neurons Investigators examined the mechanism behind brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-induced Bdnf mRNA production and the physiological role of its amplification system using cortical neurons. [Neurochem Int] Abstract Carvacrol Protects Neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y Cells against Fe2+-Induced Apoptosis by Suppressing Activation of MAPK/JNK-NF-κB Signaling Pathway Investigators examined whether carvacrol protected neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells against Fe2+-induced apoptosis and explored the underlying mechanisms. [Acta Pharmacol Sin] Abstract Tetranectin Gene Deletion Induces Parkinson’s Disease by Enhancing Neuronal Apoptosis The authors investigated the role of tetranectin (TET) in neurodegeneration in vitro and in vivo. They showed that siRNA knockdown of TET decreased cell viability and the number of tyrosine hydroxylase positive cells, whereas it increased caspase-3 activity and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in cultured primary dopaminergic neurons. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract |