LSD1 Mediates Neuronal Differentiation of Human Fetal Neural Stem Cells by Controlling the Expression of a Novel Target Gene, HEYL Investigators present evidence that specific inhibition of lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) suppresses the neurogenesis of cultured human fetal neural stem cells isolated from the human fetal neocortex. [Stem Cells] Abstract Ghrelin Regulates Glucose and Glutamate Transporters in Hypothalamic Astrocytes Researchers used both in vivo and in vitro approaches to demonstrate that acylated ghrelin rapidly stimulates glutamate transporter expression and glutamate uptake by astrocytes. [Sci Rep] Full Article Conversion of Human Fibroblasts to Stably Self-Renewing Neural Stem Cells with a Single Zinc-Finger Transcription Factor Scientists report that a single zinc-finger transcription factor, Zfp521, is sufficient for direct conversion of human fibroblasts into long-term self-renewable and multipotent neural stem cells. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract Benzothiazole Amphiphiles Promote the Formation of Dendritic Spines in Primary Hippocampal Neurons The authors report the design and evaluation of a new class of benzothiazole amphiphiles that exhibit a dose-dependent response leading to an increase in dendritic spine density in primary hippocampal neurons. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article Differentiation of Spiral Ganglion-Derived Neural Stem Cells into Functional Synaptogenetic Neurons Researchers found that spiral ganglion neurons (SGN)-derived cells demonstrated neural stem cell (NSC) characteristics and differentiated into SGN-like glutamatergic neurons. Neurotrophins significantly increased neuronal differentiation and neurite length of SGN-NSC-derived neurons. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract Mouse Bone Marrow Stromal Cells Differentiate to Neuron-Like Cells upon Inhibition of BMP Signaling Investigators report that the genetic deletion of two members of the bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp) family, Bmp2 and Bmp4 in mouse bone marrow stromal cells causes their differentiation into cells with neuron-like morphology. [Differentiation] Abstract | Graphical Abstract Notch Signaling Activates Stem Cell Properties of Müller Glia through Transcriptional Regulation and Skp2-mediated Degradation of p27Kip1 Scientists examined Notch signaling-mediated activation of Müller glia (MG). They demonstrated that one of the targets of Notch signaling is the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, p27Kip1, which is highly expressed in quiescent MG. [PLoS One] Full Article Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) Impairs the Proliferation of C17.2 Neural Stem Cells via the Downregulation of GSK-3β/β-Catenin Signaling The authors investigated the impact of PFOS exposure on the physiology of neural stem cells in vitro. They showed that PFOS exposure markedly attenuated the proliferation of C17.2 neural stem cells in both dose- and time-dependent manners. [J Appl Toxicol] Abstract Glutamate Receptor Stimulation Up-Regulates Glutamate Uptake in Human Müller Glia Cells Scientists investigated a plausible role of glutamate as a regulatory signal for its own transport in human retinal glia cells. They determined [3H]-D-aspartate uptake in cultures of spontaneously immortalized human Müller cells exposed to distinct glutamatergic ligands. [Neurochem Res] Abstract |