Neural Cell News Volume 10.22 | Jun 8 2016

TOP STORY

Myelin Cells Feel the Force

Mechanical forces play a critical role in myelination, the formation of the protective coating that neurons need to function, researchers have discovered. The researchers found that Schwann cells, the cells that form myelin in the nervous system, respond to mechanical stimuli by activating certain molecules that are then transferred to the nucleus to trigger myelination. [Press release from University at Buffalo discussing online prepublication in Nature Neuroscience] Press Release | Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

A Primate lncRNA Mediates Notch Signaling during Neuronal Development by Sequestering miRNA

Researchers identified a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), which has acquired 16 microRNA response elements for miR-143-3p in the Catarrhini branch of primates. This lncRNA, termed LncND, is expressed in neural progenitor cells and then declines in neurons. [Neuron] Abstract | Press Release

Human Glia Can Both Induce and Rescue Aspects of Disease Phenotype in Huntington Disease

To define the contribution of glia to Huntington disease (HD), researchers established human HD glial chimeras by neonatally engrafting immunodeficient mice with mutant huntingtin (mHTT)-expressing human glial progenitor cells (hGPCs), derived from either human embryonic stem cells or mHTT-transduced fetal hGPCs. [Nat Commun] Full Article | Press Release

Ubiqutination via K27 and K29 Chains Signals Aggregation and Neuronal Protection of LRRK2 by WSB1

Investigators identified WSB1 as a LRRK2 interacting protein. WSB1 ubiquitinates LRRK2 through K27 and K29 linkage chains, leading to LRRK2 aggregation and neuronal protection in primary neurons and a Drosophila model of G2019S LRRK2. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Molecular Features Underlying Neurodegeneration Identified through In Vitro Modeling of Genetically Diverse Parkinson’s Disease Patients

To model Parkinson’s disease (PD) in vitro, scientists generated neurons harboring disease-causing mutations from patient-specific, induced pluripotent stem cells. They observed signs of degeneration in midbrain dopaminergic neurons, reflecting the cardinal feature of PD. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Western Zika Virus in Human Fetal Neural Progenitors Persists Long Term with Partial Cytopathic and Limited Immunogenic Effects

The authors showed that a 2015 Zika virus (ZIKV) isolate replicates in multiple cell types, including primary human fetal neural progenitors. In immortalized cells, ZIKV is cytopathic and grossly rearranges endoplasmic reticulum membranes similar to other flaviviruses. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Press Release

Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein 1 Is a Novel Modulator of Radial Glia Stem Cell Proliferation, Survival, and Differentiation

The authors showed that LewisX-glycosylated lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) is also expressed in the stem cell compartment of the developing spinal cord and has broader functions in the developing CNS. They investigated the basic properties of LRP1 conditional knockout on the neural stem/progenitor cells from the cortex and the spinal cord, created by means of Cre-loxp-mediated recombination in vitro. [Glia] Abstract

Gain of BDNF Function in Engrafted Neural Stem Cells Promotes the Therapeutic Potential for Alzheimer’s Disease

Scientists present a novel therapeutic approach for Alzheimer’s disease treatment using brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-overexpressing neural stem cells (NSCs). In vitro, BDNF overexpression was neuroprotective to beta-amyloid-treated NSCs. [Sci Rep] Full Article | Video

Neural Stem Cells Injured by Oxidative Stress Can Be Rejuvenated by GV1001, a Novel Peptide, through Scavenging Free Radicals and Enhancing Survival Signals

Scientists investigated the effects of GV1001 against oxidative stress in neural stem cells (NSCs). Primary culture NSCs were treated with different concentrations of GV1001 and/or hydrogen peroxide for various time durations. [Neurotoxicology] Abstract

Prostaglandin E₂ Promotes Neural Proliferation and Differentiation and Regulates Wnt Target Gene Expression

Investigators showed that prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) increases proliferation of undifferentiated NE-4C stem cells. PGE₂ also promotes the progression of NE-4C stem cell differentiation into neuronal-lineage cells, which is apparent by accelerated appearance of neuronal clusters and earlier expression of the neuronal marker microtubule-associated protein tau. [J Neurosci Res] Abstract

Regeneration and Rewiring of Rodent Olfactory Sensory Neurons

The molecular mechanisms that determine the regenerative capacity of stem cells, and the ability of newly generated neurons in directing their axons toward specific targets, remain elusive. The authors review progress and controversies in the field and offer testable models. [Exp Neurol] Abstract

mTOR Signaling in Parkinson’s Disease

The authors review recent progress in characterizing the association of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling with Parkinson’s disease (PD) risk factors and further discuss the potential roles of mTOR in PD. [Neuromolecular Med] Abstract

Autophagy and Alzheimer’s Disease

The authors summarize the latest progress supporting the role for autophagy deficits in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and the potential therapeutic effects of autophagy modulators in AD. [Cell Mol Neurobiol] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the neural cell research field.

New Study Led by John Theurer Cancer Center Researcher Demonstrates Potential Therapeutic Benefit of TPI-287 with Bevacizumab in Treatment of Aggressive Brain Cancer

A new study co-authored by the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center researchers demonstrates that a combination of TPI-287, a third-generation taxane, combined with the angiogenesis inhibitor bevacizumab, improves response rates in patients with glioblastoma multiforme, a common and often aggressive form of brain cancer. [Press release from John Theurer Cancer Center discussing research presented at the 52^nd American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Hematology Annual Meeting, Chicago] Press Release

AbbVie Presents Encouraging Phase I Data for Investigational Medicine ABT-414 as Monotherapy in Patients with an Aggressive Brain Cancer

AbbVie announced safety and preliminary efficacy data from a Phase I study of ABT-414 – an investigational antibody drug conjugate for epidermal growth factor receptor amplified, recurrent glioblastoma – showed no dose-limiting toxicities and frequent, reversible ocular toxicities. [Press release from AbbVie Inc. discussing research presented at the 52^nd American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Chicago] Press Release

Arrien Pharmaceuticals Initiated Phase I Clinical Trials of ARN-6039 as a New Agent for Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Arrien Pharmaceuticals announced that it has initiated Phase I clinical trials on their first agent, ARN-6039, which is being developed for the potential treatment of relapse, remitting, and progressive MS, an autoimmune neuroinflammatory demyelinating disease. [Arrien Pharmaceuticals (Business Wire)] Press Release

Sage Reports Positive Top-Line Results from Phase I Clinical Program of SAGE-217

Sage Therapeutics announced positive top-line results from its Phase I clinical program of SAGE-217, a novel, internally-developed orally active compound intended to enhance GABA receptor mediated inhibition in the brain. In the trial, SAGE-217 was found to be generally well-tolerated with no serious adverse events reported during the treatment and follow-up periods. [Sage Therapeutics] Press Release

ImmunoCellular Therapeutics Treats First Patient in ICT-107 Phase III Registrational Trial in Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma

ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd. announced that the first patient has been treated in the Phase III registrational trial of ICT-107, the company’s lead cancer immunotherapy product candidate, in newly diagnosed glioblastoma. [ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd.] Press Release

NEW European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2016
October 7-11, 2016
Copenhagen, Denmark

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the neural cell community.

NEW Scientist – Neuroscience (The Allen Institute for Brain Science)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow Positions – Pharmacology (The University of Tennessee Health Science Center)

Principal Scientist and Team Lead (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientific Communications and Publishing Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Positions – Cell Biology (Boston University)

Postdoctoral Position – Neuroscience (Inserm-ENS)

Postdoctoral Training Fellow – Signaling within Neural Stem Cell Niches In Vitro and In Vivo (Francis Crick Institute)

PhD Student Positions – Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology/Neurosciences/Neurogenetics (University of Fribourg)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Neuroscience (McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School)

Postdoctoral Associate – Neuroscience (Yale University)

Investigators – Aging and Metabolism Research (Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation)

Postdoctoral Position – Neurodegenerative Disease Biology (Johns Hopkins University)

Postdoctoral Position – Bioinformatics and Brain Transcriptomics (Cornell University)

Faculty Positions – Brain Research (IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research at Peking University)

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