Neural Cell News Volume 10.38 | Sep 28 2016

TOP STORY

Rho GTPase Complementation Underlies BDNF-Dependent Homo- and Heterosynaptic Plasticity

Scientists describe a three-molecule model of structural long-term potentiation (sLTP) of murine dendritic spines, implicating the localized, coincident activation of Rac1, RhoA and Cdc42 as a causal signal of sLTP. This model posits that complete tripartite signal overlap in spines confers sLTP, but that partial overlap primes spines for structural plasticity. [Nature] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Efficient Derivation of Microglia-Like Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Scientists established a robust and efficient protocol for the rapid production of microglia-like cells from human embryonic stem and induced pluripotent stem cells that uses defined serum-free culture conditions. [Nat Med] Abstract | Press Release

Dual Effects of Carbon Monoxide on Pericytes and Neurogenesis in Traumatic Brain Injury

Researchers assessed the effects of carbon monoxide (CO) in a mouse model of traumatic brain injury. Treatment with CO-releasing molecule-3 reduced pericyte death and ameliorated the progression of neurological deficits. [Nat Med] Abstract

Elongator Controls Cortical Interneuron Migration by Regulating Actomyosin Dynamics

Investigators demonstrated that elongator cell-autonomously promotes cortical interneuron migration by controlling actin cytoskeletal dynamics. [Cell Res] Abstract

How Azobenzene Photoswitches Restore Visual Responses to the Blind Retina

Researchers showed that P2X receptors mediate the entry of photoswitches into retinal ganglion cells, where they associate with voltage-gated ion channels, enabling light to control action-potential firing. [Neuron] Abstract

Transcriptional Networks Controlled by NKX2-1 in the Development of Forebrain GABAergic Neurons

In the medial ganglionic eminence, the NKX2-1 transcription factor controls regional identity and, with LHX6, is necessary to specify pallidal projection neurons and forebrain interneurons. Researchers dissected the molecular functions of NKX2-1 by defining its chromosomal binding, regulation of gene expression, and epigenetic state. [Neuron] Abstract

Molecular Determinants for the Strictly Compartmentalized Expression of Kainate Receptors in CA3 Pyramidal Cells

Using functional mapping by focal glutamate uncaging in CA3 pyramidal cells, scientists observed that kainate receptors are strictly confined to the postsynaptic elements of mossy fibre synapses and excluded from other glutamatergic inputs and from extrasynaptic compartments. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Wnt Regulates Proliferation and Neurogenic Potential of MüLler Glial Cells via a Lin28/Let-7 MiRNA-Dependent Pathway in Adult Mammalian Retinas

The authors showed that gene transfer of β-catenin in adult mouse retinas activates Wnt signaling and Müller glial cells proliferation without retinal injury. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Development and Dynamic Regulation of Mitochondrial Network in Human Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons Differentiated from iPSCs

Scientists fully characterized mitochondrial alterations and function in relation to the development of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived dopaminergic neurons. This study also provides a neurophysiologic model of mitochondrial involvement in neurogenesis, which will enhance the understanding of the role of mitochondrial dysfunctions in neurodegenerative diseases. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article

Hedgehog Controls Quiescence and Activation of Neural Stem Cells in the Adult Ventricular-Subventricular Zone

Investigators demonstrated that Hedgehog signaling actively regulates different pools of quiescent and proliferative neural stem cells in the adult ventricular-subventricular zone, one of the main brain neurogenic niches. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article

Microglia Contributes to Plaque Growth by Cell Death Due to Uptake of Amyloid β in the Brain of Alzheimer’s Disease Mouse Model

Researchers confirmed how microglia are involved in amyloid β (Aβ) plaque formation and their growth in the brain of 5XFAD mice, the Aβ-overexpressing Alzheimer’s disease transgenic mouse model, and performed serial intravital two-photon microscopy imaging of the brains of 5XFAD mice crossed with macrophage/microglia-specific GFP-expressing CX3CR1GFP/GFP mice. They found that activated microglia surrounding Aβ plaques take up Aβ, which are clusters developed inside activated microglia in vivo and this was followed by microglial cell death. [Glia] Abstract

CFHR1-Modified Neural Stem Cells Ameliorated Brain Injury in a Mouse Model of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders

Investigators showed that engineered neural stem cells with complement factor H–related protein 1, a complement inhibitor protein, can attenuate inflammatory infiltration and immune-mediated damage of astrocytes, an important pathogenic progress in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. [J Immunol] Full Article

G Protein-Coupled Receptors in Myelinating Glia

The authors focus on the key roles of G protein-coupled receptors in a specialized subset of glia, myelinating glia. They highlight recent work firmly establishing GPCRs as regulators of myelinating glial cell development and myelin repair. [Trends Pharmacol Sci] Abstract

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

Vivreon Biosciences Awarded Grant to Advance Drug Program Targeting Neuroinflammation

Vivreon Biosciences, LLC has been awarded a preclinical drug discovery grant from the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation. [Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation] Press Release

Cleveland Clinic Spinoff Could Receive up to $1.7 Million from Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation

NeuroTherapia, Inc. has received a $1.7 million commitment from the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation to advance its drug NTRX-07 toward human clinical trials. This inventive therapy targets a cannabinoid receptor in the brain, which is a new approach for treating Alzheimer’s and other neurologic diseases. [Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation] Press Release

Cellular Dynamics International Launches Opsis Therapeutics to Develop Cell Therapies for Treatment of Retinal Diseases

Cellular Dynamics International, Inc. announced a new venture, named Opsis Therapeutics. Opsis Therapeutics is focused on discovering and developing novel medicines to treat patients suffering from retinal diseases. [Cellular Dynamics International, Inc.] Press Release

FundacióN MAPFRE Presents the Results of Personalized Cell Therapy for Treating Spinal Cord Injury

Fundación MAPFRE presented the results of the first clinical trial of personalized cell therapy in patients with complete and chronic spinal cord injury. [Fundación MAPFRE (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

Neurim Pharmaceuticals Announces First Patients’ Enrollments in ReCOGNITION – Phase II Clinical Trial of Piromelatine for Mild Alzheimer’s Disease

Neurim Pharmaceuticals announced that the first patients have been enrolled in the ReCOGNITION study of its novel drug, piromelatine, for Alzheimer’s disease. [Neurim Pharmaceuticals] Press Release

Why Big Pharma Wants to Collect 2 Million Genomes

Five months after announcing its intentions to gather genome sequences from 2 million people, pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has selected geneticist David Goldstein to head up the task. [Nature News] Editorial

Worldwide Brain-Mapping Project Sparks Excitement — and Concern

In recent years, brain-mapping initiatives have been popping up around the world. They have different goals and areas of expertise, but now researchers will attempt to apply their collective knowledge in a global push to more fully understand the brain. [Nature News] Editorial

Encourage Governments to Heed Scientific Advice

The scientific community has seen its policy making influence rise worldwide over the past two decades. Researchers advise on decisions relevant to the scientific enterprise and on key issues from agriculture and environment to security, crime and economic growth. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Challenges, Solutions and Progress in Stem Cell Medicine
February 18-21, 2017
Carlsbad, United States

NEW 2^nd International Brain Stimulation Conference
March 5-8, 2017
Barcelona, Spain

NEW Advances in Cell Engineering, Imaging and Screening
November 17-18, 2016
Leuven, Belgium

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

NEW PhD – Neural Circuits (The International Max Planck Research School for Neural Circuits)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – In Vitro Assays and Image Analysis (University of Oxford)

International PhD Studentships (Medical Research Council)

Assistant Professor (Tenure) – Developmental Biology )

Assistant Professor – Neural Circuits (University of Pittsburgh)

Group Leader – Stem Cells and Aging (The University of Queensland)

Faculty – Developmental Neurobiology (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)

Postdoctoral Position/Academic Advisor – Neural Engineering (University of Freiburg)

Research Group Leader – Neuroscience (Chica and Heinz Schaller Foundation)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Sensorimotor Neuroscience (Western University)

Postdoctoral Position – Neural Substrates of Taste-Guided Behaviors (University of Illinois)

Faculty Positions – Neural Engineering (University of Pittsburgh)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Biology (Stanford University)

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.