Neural Cell News 11.27 July 12, 2017 | |
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TOP STORYMultipotent Peripheral Glial Cells Generate Neuroendocrine Cells of the Adrenal Medulla Scientists examined the cell type origin of chromaffin cells, lineage segregation of sympathoblasts and chromaffin cells, the gene programs driving specification of chromaffin cells from progenitors, and the proliferative dynamics by which the adrenal medulla is formed. They found that chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla are formed from peripheral glia stem cells, termed Schwann cell precursors. [Science] Abstract | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)SOX5/6/21 Prevent Oncogene-Driven Transformation of Brain Stem Cells Investigators showed that the expression levels of SOX5, SOX6 and SOX21 (SOX5/6/21) transcription factors increase in stem cells of the subventricular zone (SVZ) upon oncogenic stress, whereas their expression in human glioma decreases during malignant progression. Elevated levels of SOX5/6/21 promoted SVZ cells to exit the cell cycle, while genetic ablation of SOX5/6/21 dramatically increased the capacity of these cells to form glioma-like tumors in an oncogene-driven mouse brain tumor model. [Cancer Res] Abstract Parvalbumin-Expressing GABAergic Neurons in Primary Motor Cortex Signal Reaching The authors recorded the activity of parvalbumin-expressing (PV+) GABAergic neurons identified from a larger population of fast-spiking units and putative excitatory regular-spiking units in layer five of the mouse forelimb motor cortex (M1) during an M1-dependent, sensory-triggered reaching task. PV+ neurons showed short latency responses to the acoustic cue and vibrotactile trigger stimulus and an increase in firing at reaching onset that scaled with the amplitude of reaching. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract To enhance fibrin hydrogel affinity towards pluripotent stem cell-derived neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) and its capacity to support NSPC migration and neurite extension, scientists explored the tethering of synthetic peptides engaging integrin α6β1, a cell receptor enriched in NSPCs. Six α6β1 integrin ligands were tested for their ability to support integrin α6β1-mediated adhesion of embryonic stem cell-derived NSPCs (ES-NSPs) and sustain ES-NSPC viability, migration, and neuronal differentiation. [Acta Biomater] Abstract | Graphical Abstract Researchers investigated the effect of the antidepressant drug fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, in vitro and in vivo. Nanomolar concentrations of fluvoxamine significantly increased cell viability and proliferation of neural stem cells through increasing mRNA expression of Notch1, Hes1 and Ki-67, and protein levels of NICD. [Sci Rep] Full Article Investigators hypothesized that cellular and humoral components of innate immunity alter fate and migration of human neural stem cells (hNSC). In these experiments, conditioned media collected from polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) selectively increased hNSC astrogliogenesis and promoted cell migration in vitro. PMNs were shown to generate C1q and C3a; exposure of hNSC to PMN-synthesized concentrations of these complement proteins promoted astrogliogenesis and cell migration. [J Immunol] Abstract | Full Article PRMT1 Regulates Astrocytic Differentiation of Embryonic Neural Stem/Precursor Cells Researchers report that protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) 1 is highly expressed in neural stem/precursor cells (NS/PCs) of mouse embryos, and knockdown of PRMT1 in NS/PCs suppresses the generation of astrocytes. The luciferase assay demonstrated that knockdown of PRMT1 inhibits activation of the promoter of a typical astrocytic marker gene, glial fibrillary acidic protein, in NS/PCs. [J Neurochem] Abstract Metformin Accelerates Glycolytic Lactate Production in Cultured Primary Cerebellar Granule Neurons To test whether metformin may affect the metabolism of neurons, scientists exposed cultured rat cerebellar granule neurons to metformin. Treatment with metformin caused a time- and concentration-dependent increase in glycolytic lactate release from viable neurons as demonstrated by the three-to fivefold increase in extracellular lactate concentration determined after exposure to metformin. [Neurochem Res] Abstract The authors showed that Wnt3a triggers the Wnt/Ca2+ signaling pathway, indicated by an increase of cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) and activation of calmodulin dependent kinase II during the differentiation of human neuronal progenitor cells. Wnt3a via the increase of [Ca2+]i activates proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2, which subsequently regulates phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β and β-catenin stabilization. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract Scientists adopted a method involving the intranasal administration of nerve growth factor combined with lateral ventricle NSC transplantation using G93A-SOD1 transgenic mice as experimental subjects to explore the treatment effect of this combined therapy in ALS. They discovered that the combined therapy increased the quantity of TrkA receptors, broaden the migration of exogenous NSCs, further promoting active proliferation in neurogenic regions of the brain and enhance the preservation of motor neurons in the spinal cord. [Neurosci Lett] Abstract | |
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REVIEWSNew Neurons in Adult Brain: Distribution, Molecular Mechanisms and Therapies Researchers summarize the current knowledge about adult neurogenesis and neural stem cell niches in healthy and pathological conditions. They provide an overview for the milestones that have led to the discovery of the classical ventricular and hippocampal neural stem cell niches. [Biochem Pharmacol] Abstract Epigenetic Regulation of Neural Stem Cell Differentiation towards Spinal Cord Regeneration Several studies of spinal cord injury (SCI) animal models have demonstrated that the modulation of specific epigenetic marks by histone modifiers and non-coding RNAs directs the setting of favorable cellular environments that promote the neuronal differentiation of neural stem or precursor cells (NS/PCs) and/or the elongation of the axons of the surviving neurons at the injured sites.The authors provide an overview of recent progress in the epigenetic regulation/manipulation of neural cells for the treatment of SCI. [Cell Tissue Res] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the neural cell research field. | |
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SCIENCE NEWSEli Lilly and Company to Present More than 40 Abstracts Eli Lilly and Company announced it will present findings from more than 40 research studies. The data will highlight Lilly’s broad Alzheimer’s pipeline, including potential treatments and diagnostics in various stages of clinical development, in addition to health outcomes data on use of healthcare resources prior to an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis. [Press release from Eli Lilly and Company discussing research to be presented at the 2017 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference® (AAIC®), London] Press Release Axovant to Present Key Intepirdine and Nelotanserin Data Axovant Sciences announced a number of upcoming presentations relating to its intepirdine and nelotanserin programs. [Press release from Axovant Sciences discussing research to be presented at the 2017 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference® (AAIC®), London] Press Release | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSNeuraltus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it has completed enrollment of 138 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the confirmatory Phase II study of NP001. The confirmatory Phase II study is being conducted with the intent of replicating the previous Phase II clinical study findings in ALS patients with elevated levels of baseline inflammation. [Neuraltus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release Accera Enters into a Strategic Partnership and Exclusive Licensing Agreement with DuChemBio Accera, Inc. and DuChemBio Co. Ltd announced that the companies have entered into a strategic partnership and exclusive licensing agreement whereby DuChemBio will obtain rights to develop, obtain regulatory approval and commercialize products in South Korea using Accera’s medium chain triglyceride technology. [Accera, Inc.] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSIn a Rare Move, FDA Reverses Course on Drug Developed by CEO with Ties to Trump The Food and Drug Administration has changed its tune on an experimental drug for a deadly rare disease, withdrawing a request that the company developing it run another clinical trial. The unusual move comes after President Trump met with the company’s CEO — and promised to speed up what he called a “slow and burdensome” process for drug approvals. [STAT news] Editorial White House’s Dwindling Science Office Leaves Major Research Programs in Limbo US President Donald Trump has pledged to shrink the federal government, and he seems to be starting with science. Nearly six months after taking office, Trump has not chosen a science adviser, and the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy has dwindled from around 130 staff members under former president Barack Obama to 35. [Nature News] Editorial Trump Administration Chooses Georgia Physician to Lead US Public-Health Agency Obstetrician and gynecologist Brenda Fitzgerald will direct the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price announced. [Nature News] Editorial
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EVENTSNEW World Congress on Neurology And Brain Disorders Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Postdoctoral Position – Neuroscience (Max Planck Society) Postdoctoral Fellow – Development and Function of Neural Circuits (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) Postdoctoral Fellow – Neuroscience/Neuroplasticity (University of Oslo) Postdoctoral Position – Developmental Neurobiology (State University of New York) Postdoctoral Position – Neurobiology (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center) Postdoctoral Fellow – Neuroscience (State University of New York) Postdoctoral Fellow – Applied Neural Interfaces (Florida International University) Postdoctoral Scientist – Neural Stem Cell Biology (Institute for Neuroscience of Montpellier) Faculty Position(s) – Pain Medicine (Southern University of Science and Technology) Postdoctoral Researcher – Neuroscience and Imaging (Howard Hughes Medical Institute) Postdoctoral Researcher – Stem Cell Differentiation (University of Oklahoma) 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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Home Neural Cell News Volume 11.27 | Jul 12 2017