Neural Cell News 13.49 November 18, 2019 | |
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TOP STORYMicroglia Monitor and Protect Neuronal Function via Specialized Somatic Purinergic Junctions Researchers identified an interaction site between neuronal cell bodies and microglial processes in mouse and human brain. Somatic microglia-neuron junctions possessed specialized nanoarchitecture optimized for purinergic signaling. [Science] Abstract | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)Transcriptome analysis of spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) mice revealed downregulation of calcium flux genes accompanied by abnormal calcium-dependent cerebellar membrane excitability. Transcription-factor binding-site analysis of down-regulated genes yielded Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) target sites, and investigators observed reduced Sirt1 activity in the SCA7 mouse cerebellum with NAD+ depletion. [Neuron] Abstract | Graphical Abstract | Press Release Scientists demonstrated that, whereas mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake requires elevated extramitochondrial Ca2+ in non-neuronal cells, axonal mitochondria readily took up Ca2+ in response to small changes in external Ca2+.” [Neuron] Abstract | Graphical Abstract TResearchers investigated whether exploratory adaption explained how glioblastoma cells from different anatomic regions of the tumor cope with micro-environmental pressures. They introduced new notions of phenotype and phenotype distance, and determined probable spatial-phenotypic trajectories based on patient data. [Nat Commun] Full Article The authors showed that adeno-associated virus serotype 9-mediated delivery of Stasimon-a gene encoding an endoplasmic reticulum-resident transmembrane protein regulated by survival motor neuron-improved motor function in a mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy through multiple mechanisms. In proprioceptive neurons, Stasimon overexpression prevented the loss of afferent synapses on motor neurons and enhanced sensory-motor neurotransmission. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract BPTF Regulates Growth of Adult and Pediatric High-Grade Glioma through the MYC Pathway Using a two-step, in vitro/in vivo epigenomic shRNA inhibition screen, scientists determined the chromatin re-modeler BPTF to be a key regulator of adult high-grade gliomas (HGG) growth. They demonstrated that BPTF knockdown decreased HGG growth in multiple pediatric HGG models as well. [Oncogene] Abstract The authors showed that mitochondrial stress, caused by respiratory complex inhibitors and excessive fission, robustly stimulated ciliogenesis in different types of cells including neuronal cells. Mitochondrial stress-induced ciliogenesis was mediated by mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation, subsequent activation of AMP-activated protein kinase and autophagy. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article Mutant C9orf72 Human iPSC-Derived Astrocytes Cause Non-Cell Autonomous Motor Neuron Pathophysiology Researchers used a human iPSC-based model to study the cell autonomous and non-autonomous consequences of mutant C9orf72 expression by astrocytes. They showed that mutant astrocytes both recapitulate key aspects of C9orf72-related amyotrophic lateral sclerosis pathology and, upon co-culture, caused motor neurons to undergo a progressive loss of action potential output due to decreases in the magnitude of voltage-activated Na+ and K+ currents. [Glia] Full Article Investigators determined the effects of heme on induced pluripotent stem cells and a three-dimensional cortical organoid system and assessed apoptosis and differentiation. They evaluated biomarkers associated with heme-induced brain injury, including a pro-inflammatory chemokine, CXCL-10, and its receptor, CXCR3, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and a receptor tyrosine-protein kinase, ERBB4, in the organoids. [Sci Rep] Full Article Scientists report a method that takes advantage of the growth factor-like and anti-inflammatory activities of the fibrinolysis protease, tissue plasminogen activator tPA, without effects on hemostasis. They demonstrated that conditioning induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitor cells with enzymatically-inactive tissue-type plasminogen activator, prior to grafting into a T3 lesion site in a clinically relevant severe spinal cord injury model, significantly improved motor outcomes. [Sci Rep] Full Article A brain angiotensin-II type-1 receptors(AT1Rs)-tdTomato reporter mouse strain was crossed with our previously described AT2R-eGFP reporter mouse strain to yield a novel dual AT1aR/AT2R reporter mouse strain, which allowed scientists to determine that AT1aR and AT2R were primarily localized to different populations of neurons in brain regions controlling cardiovascular, fluid, and metabolic homeostasis. [Hypertens Res] Abstract Subscribe to one of our other 19 science newsletters such as Cancer Stem Cell News & ESC & iPSC News. | |
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REVIEWSNeuroimmune Circuits in Inter-Organ Communication The authors focus on the impact of bidirectional neuroimmune interactions in tissue biology, organ physiology and embryonic development. They explore how this fast-evolving field is redefining the tenets of inter-organ and intergenerational communications. [Nat Rev Immunol] Abstract Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy and Alzheimer Disease – One Peptide, Two Pathways The pathogenic pathways of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) and Alzheimer disease (AD) intersect at the levels of amyloid-β generation, its circulation within the interstitial fluid and perivascular drainage pathways and its brain clearance, but diverge in their mechanisms of brain injury and disease presentation. Investigators review the evidence for and the pathogenic implications of interactions between CAA and AD. [Nat Rev Neurol] Abstract Fiery Cell Death: Pyroptosis in the Central Nervous System Pyroptosis is mediated directly by the recently identified family of pore-forming proteins known as gasdermins, the best characterized of which is gasdermin D. Scientists discuss molecular mechanisms that drive pyroptosis, evidence for pyroptosis within the CNS, and emerging therapeutic strategies for its inhibition in the context of neurological disease. [Trends Neurosci] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the neural cell research field. | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSAxsome Therapeutics, Inc. announced that AXS-05, a novel, oral, investigational NMDA receptor antagonist with multimodal activity, met the primary endpoint and rapidly and significantly improved symptoms of depression in the GEMINI Phase III trial in major depressive disorder. [Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release Chondrial Therapeutics announced that the first patients have been dosed in a Phase I clinical trial to evaluate the safety and tolerability of single ascending doses of CTI-1601. CTI-1601 is a recombinant fusion protein intended to deliver human frataxin to patients with Friedreich’s ataxia, who have decreased levels of frataxin. [Chondrial Therapeutics] Press Release New Grant Will Fund Clinical Trial of a Novel Approach to Treating Alzheimer’s With a new grant from the Alzheimer’s Association, a team of researchers from Brown University, Butler Hospital and the Miriam Hospital will conduct a Phase I clinical trial of a drug that could potentially provide a new avenue for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. [EurekAlert!] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSSpending Bill Boosts US Science Budgets, Unlocks Gun Research For the 2020 fiscal year, most US research agencies will receive a funding increase, according to details of a spending bill released by Congress. A total of $2.8 billion of the NIH budget, a boost of $330 million over this year, will be earmarked for Alzheimer’s research, with another $12.5 million for firearm injury and mortality protection research. [The Scientist] Editorial Another year, another 1,433 (and counting) retractions. The tenth year of Retraction Watch’s existence included-as is often the case-a new record, some impressive numbers, and some bizarre stories. But it also included some exemplary behavior. [The Scientist] Editorial NIH Considering New Recommendations on Sexual Harassment Policies Recommendations put forth by the Working Group on Changing the Culture to End Sexual Harassment include requiring NIH-funded institutions to notify the agency within two weeks when a grant recipient is found guilty of sexual misconduct, barring confirmed harassers from serving on NIH advisory councils, and mandating that grant applicants report sexual harassment findings against them. [The Scientist] Editorial
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Research Associate – Neurodegenerative Disease (Cardiff University) Research Cognitive Neurologist (University Health Network) Assistant or Associate Professor – Neural Repair (Burke Neurological Institute) Postdoctoral Associate – Glia and Neuron Interaction (Howard Hughes Medical Institute) Multiple Faculty Positions – Neuroscience and Neuroengineering (Tsinghua University) Faculty Position – Neuroimmunology (Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center) PhD Student – Interneuron Developmental Dynamics (Flanders Institute for Biotechnology) Faculty Positions – Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders (Duke-NUS Medical School) Faculty Positions – Brain Disorders (IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research) Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.
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