Neural Cell News 11.13 April 5, 2017 | |
| |
TOP STORYMyt1l Safeguards Neuronal Identity by Actively Repressing Many Non-Neuronal Fates By studying the reprogramming of mouse fibroblasts to neurons, the authors found that the pan neuron-specific transcription factor Myt1-like (Myt1l) exerts its pro-neuronal function by direct repression of many different somatic lineage programs except the neuronal program. [Nature] Abstract | Press Release | |
| |
PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)Decoupling Genetics, Lineages, and Microenvironment in IDH-Mutant Gliomas by Single-Cell RNA-Seq Researchers used single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to understand the differences between two types of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutant gliomas: astrocytoma (IDH-A) and oligodendroglioma (IDH-O). IDH-A and IDH-O are distinguished by co-occurring signature genetic events and by histopathology and are thought to recapitulate distinct glial lineages. By combining 9879 scRNA-seq profiles from 10 IDH-A tumors, 4347 scRNA-seq profiles from six IDH-O tumors, and 165 TCGA bulk RNA profiles, they deciphered differences between these two tumor types at single-cell resolution. [Science] Abstract FUS Affects Circular RNA Expression in Murine Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Motor Neurons Investigators identified circular RNA (circRNAs) expressed in in vitro-derived mouse motor neurons and determined that the production of a considerable number of these circRNAs is regulated by FUS. [Nat Commun] Full Article HBEGF Promotes Gliomagenesis in the Context of Ink4a/Arf and Pten Loss Researchers demonstrated that heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HBEGF) can initiate glioblastoma (GBM) in mice in the context of Ink4a/Arf and Pten loss, and that these tumors are similar to the classical GBM subtype observed in patients. Isogenic astrocytes from these mice showed activation not only of Egfr but also the receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) Axl in response to HBEGF stimulation. Deletion of either Egfr or Axl decreased the tumorigenic properties of HBEGF-transformed cells; however, only EGFR was able to rescue the phenotype in cells lacking both RTKs indicating that Egfr is required for activation of Axl in this context. [Oncogene] Abstract Investigators used patient-specific forebrain-type organoids to investigate pathological changes associated with Miller-Dieker syndrome. Patient-derived organoids were significantly reduced in size, a change accompanied by a switch from symmetric to asymmetric cell division of ventricular zone radial glia cells. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Press Release | Graphical Abstract Brain injury induces a peripheral acute cytokine response that directs the transmigration of leukocytes into the brain. Because this brain-to-peripheral immune communication affects patient recovery, understanding its regulation is important. Using a mouse model of inflammatory brain injury, scientists set out to find a soluble mediator for this phenomenon. They found that extracellular vesicles shed from astrocytes in response to intracerebral injection of interleukin-1β rapidly entered into peripheral circulation and promoted the transmigration of leukocytes through modulation of the peripheral acute cytokine response. [Sci Signal] Abstract The authors combined induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-based disease modeling with genome engineering and deep RNA sequencing to identify pathways dysregulated by mutant SOD1 in human motor neuron. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article Sporadic ALS Astrocytes Induce Neuronal Degeneration In Vivo It is not known if astrocytes from sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS) patients cause motor neurons (MN) degeneration in vivo and whether the effect is specific to MNs. By transplanting spinal neural progenitors, derived from sALS and healthy induced pluripotent stem cells, into the cervical spinal cord of adult SCID mice for nine months, researchers found that differentiated human astrocytes were present in large areas of the spinal cord, replaced endogenous astrocytes, and contacted neurons to a similar extent. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article Hypoxia-Mediated Epigenetic Regulation of Stemness in Brain Tumor Cells Activation of pluripotency regulatory circuit is an important event in solid tumor progression and the hypoxic microenvironment is known to enhance the stemness feature of some cells. The authors demonstrated the role of hypoxia-mediated epigenetic modifications in regulating expression of core pluripotency factors, OCT4 and NANOG, in glioma cells. [Stem Cells] Abstract Cell-Based Therapy Using miR-302-367 Expressing Cells Represses Glioblastoma Growth MicroRNA (miR)-302-367 cell-to-cell transfer resulted in the inhibition of its targets such as CXCR4/SDF1, SHH, cyclin D, cyclin A and E2F1. Orthotopic xenograft of miR-302-367-expressing cells together with glioblastoma stem-like cells efficiently altered the tumor development in mice brain. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article Messenger RNAs Localized to Distal Projections of Human Stem Cell Derived Neurons Scientists used compartmentalized microfluidic chambers to characterize the transcriptome of distal projections of human embryonic stem cells differentiated using a protocol which enriched for glutamatergic neurons. Using gene expression analysis, they identified mRNAs proportionally enriched in these projections, representing a functionally unique local transcriptome as compared to the human neuronal transcriptome inclusive of somata. [Sci Rep] Full Article | |
| |
REVIEWSAn Update on Stem Cell Biology and Engineering for Brain Development An update on the transition from 2D to 3D cultures and current organoid (mini-brain) cultures are reviewed to give the stem cell and developmental engineering communities an up-to-date account of the progress and future perspectives for modeling of central nervous system disease and brain development in vitro. [Mol Psychiatry] Abstract Brain Cancer Stem Cells in Adults and Children: Cell Biology and Therapeutic Implications Scientists discuss progress in cancer stem cell biology as it relates to targeted therapies which may be uniquely different between pediatric and adult brain tumors. Studies to date suggest that pediatric brain tumors may benefit more from genetic and epigenetic targeted therapies, while combination treatments aimed specifically at multiple molecular pathways may be more effective in treating adult brain tumors which seem to have a greater propensity towards microenvironmental interactions. [Neurotherapeutics] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the neural cell research field. | |
| |
SCIENCE NEWSSangamo Therapeutics, Inc. announced the presentation of new human in vitro and animal model data demonstrating significant reduction of tau mRNA and tau protein expression using the company’s zinc finger protein transcription factor-mediated gene regulation technology. These results are the first evidence of a tau lowering agent demonstrating efficacy on neuritic dystrophy in an amyloid mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. [Press release from Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. discussing research presented at the 13th International Conference on Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s Diseases, Vienna] Press Release Alzheon, Inc. announced the results from studies of ALZ-801 and its active molecule, tramiprosate. The new clinical data and analyses support Alzheon’s study design for the pivotal clinical program for ALZ-801, a first-in-class, oral amyloid-targeted medicine, in a genetically-defined population of patients at the mild stage of Alzheimer’s disease, with ongoing amyloid accumulation. [Press release from Alzheon, Inc. discussing research presented at the 13th International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases, Vienna] Press Release Bristol-Myers Squibb announced that CheckMate -143, a randomized Phase III clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of Opdivo in patients with first recurrence of glioblastoma multiforme, did not meet its primary endpoint of improved overall survival over bevacizumab monotherapy. [Press release from Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discussing research to be presented at the 2017 World Federation of Neuro-Oncology Societies (WFNOS) meeting, Zurich] Press Release | |
| |
INDUSTRY NEWSThe Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and the Cancer Research Institute announced a multi-year clinical research collaboration to coordinate and rapidly initiate clinical Immuno-Oncology studies across the Parker Institute and CRI networks. [Bristol-Myers Squibb Company] Press Release Researchers Named Outstanding Investigators by the National Cancer Institute The National Cancer Institute has named professor of dermatology Howard Chang, MD, PhD, and professor of oncology Ronald Levy, MD, as recipients of the institute’s Outstanding Investigator Awards for 2016. [Stanford University] Press Release | |
| |
POLICY NEWSBrazilian Scientists Reeling as Federal Funds Slashed by Nearly Half Brazilian scientists have been left horrified by a 44% slash to the federal science budget, announced by the country’s government. This will leave the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovations and Communications with its lowest budget in at least 12 years at just 2.8 billion reais, equivalent to US $898 million — a 2.2 billion reais cut from the five billion reais of funding that the government had originally proposed for 2017. [Nature News] Editorial Genetic Details of Controversial ‘Three-Parent Baby’ Revealed When a US fertility clinic revealed last year that it had created a baby boy using a controversial technique that mixes DNA from three people, scientists were quick to raise the alarm. Some objected on ethical grounds, and others questioned the scientific claims made by the clinic’s leader, physician John Zhang. [Nature News] Editorial Few U.S. Animal Inspections Are Being Posted The Donald Trump administration appears to have reversed its decision to remove from public sight the results of past government inspections of animal research facilities. But getting hold of new inspection reports is proving to be another matter. An animal welfare researcher has found that only four reports have been posted during the first quarter of 2017. [ScienceInsider] Editorial
| |
EVENTSNEW European Stroke Conference (ESC) NEW 11th Annual Canadian Neuroscience Meeting Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
| |
JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Spinal Cord Injury Repair (Burke Medical Research Institute Cornell) Associate/Full Professor – Regenerative Medicine (University Of Florida) Postdoctoral Fellow/Experienced Scientist – Stem Cells and Epigenetics (University of Michigan) Assistant/Associate Professor – Canada Research Chair in Mental Health (University of Alberta) Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Dynamics in the Adult Hippocampus (The Francis Crick Institute) Postdoctoral Research Associate – Developmental Neuroscience (University of Nebraska Medical Center) Scientist – Retina and CNS Degenerative Disease (University Health Network) Postdoctoral Researcher – Stem Cell Differentiation (University of Oklahoma) Neuroscientist – Precision Neurotherapeutics (University of California Davis) Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.
| |
Have we missed an important article or publication in Neural Cell News? Click here to submit! Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here. | |
|
Home Neural Cell News Volume 11.13 | Apr 5 2017