Neural Cell News Volume 10.02 | Jan 20 2016

CRISPR/Cas9-Induced Disruption of Gene Expression in Mouse Embryonic Brain and Single Neural Stem Cells In Vivo
Two days after in utero electroporation of a single plasmid encoding Cas9 and an appropriate guide RNA into the embryonic neocortex of Tis21::GFP knock‐in mice, expression of GFP, which occurs specifically in neural stem cells committed to neurogenesis, was found to be nearly completely abolished in the progeny of the targeted cells. [EMBO Rep] Full Article

Phosphorylation Regulates Id2 Degradation and Mediates the Proliferation of Neural Precursor Cells
Scientists identified three phosphorylation sites near the N-terminus of inhibitor of DNA binding protein 2 (Id2) in neural precursor cells (NPCs). To interrogate the importance of Id2 phosphorylation, Id2^-/- NPCs were modified to express wild type Id2 or an Id2 mutant protein that could not be phosphorylated at the identified sites. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Human Cortical Neural Stem Cells Expressing Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I: A Novel Cellular Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease
Scientists characterized a novel human cortex-derived neural stem cell (NSC) line modified to express insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), HK532-IGF-I. Because IGF-I promotes neurogenesis and synaptogenesis in vivo, this enhanced NSC line offers additional environmental enrichment, enhanced neuroprotection, and a multifaceted approach to treating complex Alzheimer’s disease pathologies. [Stem Cells Transl Med]
Abstract | Full Article | Press Release

Endogenous IL-6 of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improves Behavioral Outcome of Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Damage Neonatal Rats by Suppressing Apoptosis in Astrocytes
In vitro, the levels of IL-6 release and the levels of IL-6R and STAT3 expression were increased in both primary neurons and astrocytes subjected to oxygen and glucose deprivation following mesenchymal stem cell co-culture. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Novel ALK Inhibitor AZD3463 Inhibits Neuroblastoma Growth by Overcoming Crizotinib Resistance and Inducing Apoptosis
Researchers showed that a new ALK inhibitor AZD3463 effectively suppressed the proliferation of NB cell lines with wild type ALK as well as ALK activating mutations by blocking the ALK-mediated PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and ultimately induced apoptosis and autophagy. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Gastrin-Releasing Peptide Receptor Knockdown Induces Senescence in Glioblastoma Cells
Scientists found that stable gastrin-releasing peptide receptor knockdown by a lentiviral vector using a short hairpin interfering RNA sequence in human A172 glioblastoma multiforme cells resulted in increased cell size and altered cell cycle dynamics consistent with cell senescence. [Mol Neurobiol] Abstract

SGEF Is Regulated via TWEAK/Fn14/NF-κB Signaling and Promotes Survival By Modulation of the DNA Repair Response to Temozolomide
Investigators revealed an important role for SGEF in glioma cell survival. SGEF expression is upregulated by TWEAK-Fn14 signaling via NF-κB activity while shRNA-mediated reduction of SGEF expression sensitizes glioma cells to temozolomide-induced apoptosis and suppresses colony formation following temozolomide treatment. [Mol Cancer Res] Abstract | Press Release

Olfactory Epithelium Neural Stem Cell Implantation Restores Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Rats
Researchers aimed to elucidate the restorative effects of olfactory epithelium neural stem cells implantation on noise-induced hearing loss and establish their mechanism of action. [Neurosci Lett] Abstract

The Orphan Nuclear Receptor TLX/NR2E1 in Neural Stem Cells and Diseases
The human TLX gene encodes an orphan nuclear receptor predominantly expressed in the central nervous system. The authors summarize previous studies including many recent updates from different aspects concerning TLX and its homologues in Drosophila and mouse. [Neurosci Bull] Abstract

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NextSource Biotechnology Gains FDA Approval for New 5 mg Strength of Gleostine^® (Lomustine), an Anti-Cancer Chemotherapy Agent
NextSource Biotechnology, LLC announced that Gleostine^® 5 mg capsules has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is now commercially available in the United States. Gleostine^® is indicated to treat brain tumors — both primary and metastatic, as well as Hodgkin’s disease. [NextSource Biotechnology, LLC] Press Release

USC Announces Winners of the Audrey E. Streedain Regenerative Medicine Initiative Awards
Two collaborative teams within University of Southern California (USC) Stem Cell are developing new approaches that could eventually help patients with heart disease, frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The teams are the winners of the Audrey E. Streedain Regenerative Medicine Initiative Awards. [Keck School of Medicine of USC] Press Release

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Research Technician – Neuroscience (European Molecular Biology Laboratory)

Post-Doc Fellowship – Regulation/Function/Structure of the Synapse (National Institutes of Health)

Post-Doc Fellowship – Cognitive Neurology (University Medical Center Gottingen)

Post-Doc Fellowship – Neurobiology of Homeostasis (University of California San Francisco)

PhD Studentship – Clinical Vision & Neuroscience (University Medical Center Groningen)

Project Manager – Neurodegeneration and Stem Cell Science (Université du Luxembourg)

Group Leader – Neuroscience (Neuroscience in Bordeaux)

PhD Studentship – Various Projects (Hector Fellow Academy)

Neurogenetics Research and Clinical Genetic Counselor (Howard Hughes Medical Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Pediatric Brain Cancer (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

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