Neural Cell News 11.28 July 19, 2017 | |
| |
TOP STORYInvestigators showed that a large subset of patient-derived glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) express high levels of Achaete-scute homolog 1 (ASCL1), a proneural transcription factor involved in normal neurogenesis. ASCL1hi GSCs exhibited a latent capacity for terminal neuronal differentiation in response to inhibition of Notch signaling, whereas ASCL1lo GSCs did not. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract | |
| |
PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)Researchers showed that the perineuronal net protein Brevican is a critical regulator of interneuron plasticity. They found that Brevican simultaneously controls cellular and synaptic forms of plasticity in parvalbumin+ cells by regulating the localization of potassium channels and AMPA receptors, respectively. [Neuron] Abstract | Press Release Scientists established a novel system for mechanistic analysis of the plasticity of developing neural circuits by showing that sensory experience during development alters nociceptive behavior and circuit physiology in Drosophila larvae. Despite the convergence of nociceptive and mechanosensory inputs on common second-order neurons (SONs), developmental noxious input modified transmission from nociceptors to their SONs, but not from mechanosensors to the same SONs. [Neuron] Abstract | Press Release Enhanced Astrocytic D-Serine Underlies Synaptic Damage after Traumatic Brain Injury The authors demonstrated that hippocampal synaptic damage caused by controlled cortical impact (CCI) injury in mice results in a switch from neuronal to astrocytic D-serine release. Following CCI injury, hippocampal neurons downregulated D-serine levels, while astrocytes enhanced production and release of D-serine. [J Clin Invest] Full Article Inhibition of WNT Signaling Attenuates Self-Renewal of SHH-Subgroup Medulloblastoma Investigators isolated tumor-propagating cells from a mouse model of Sonic hedgehog (SHH)-subgroup medulloblastoma (MB) and grew them as sphere cultures. These cultures were enriched for the MB progenitor marker SOX2 and formed tumors in vivo. [Oncogene] Abstract Scientists found that the deadenylase CNOT7 dynamically regulates dendritic mRNA translation and transport, as well as synaptic plasticity and higher cognitive function. In cultured hippocampal neurons, synaptic stimulation induced a rapid decrease in CNOT7, which, in the short-term, resulted in poly(Archive) tail lengthening of target mRNAs. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract A PML/Slit Axis Controls Physiological Cell Migration and Cancer Invasion in the CNS Researchers identified a common pathway controlling cell migration in normal and neoplastic cells in the CNS. The nuclear scaffold protein promyelocytic leukemia (PML), a regulator of forebrain development, promotes neural progenitor/stem cell and neuroblast migration in the adult mouse brain. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract Using patient-derived cells, brain tissue, and Parkinson’s disease (PD) model mice, the authors found that LRRK2 interacted with and phosphorylated amyloid precursor protein (APP) at Thr668 within its intracellular domain (AICD). Phosphorylation of APP at Thr668 promoted AICD transcriptional activity and correlated with increased nuclear abundance of AICD and decreased abundance of a dopaminergic neuron marker in cultures and brain tissue. [Sci Signal] Full Article In cultured rat hippocampal neurons, nanomolar amounts of soluble amyloid-β impaired Ca2+ clearance from presynaptic terminals and increased the basal Ca2+ concentration. This caused an increase in the phosphorylation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV (CaMKIV) and its substrate synapsin, which markedly inhibited synaptic vesicle trafficking along axons between synapses. [Sci Signal] Full Article Edaravone Suppresses Retinal Ganglion Cell Death in a Mouse Model of Normal Tension Glaucoma The authors found that edaravone, a free radical scavenger that is used for treatment of acute brain infarction and ALS, reduces oxidative stress and prevents retinal ganglion cell death and thinning of the inner retinal layer in excitatory amino-acid carrier 1-deficient mice. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article Researchers evaluated the therapeutic effect of human pericytes in vivo in SOD1 mice and in vitro in motor neurons and other neuronal cells derived from one ALS patient. Pericytes and mesenchymal stromal cells were derived from the same adipose tissue sample and were administered to SOD1 mice intraperitoneally. [Stem Cell Rev] Abstract | Graphical Abstract | |
| |
REVIEWSA Clinicopathological Approach to the Diagnosis of Dementia The authors present an overview of the salient features of the most common dementia subtypes — Alzheimer disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia and related syndromes, Lewy body dementias, and prion diseases — with an emphasis on neuropathology, relevant epidemiology, risk factors, and signature signs and symptoms. [Nat Rev Neurol] Abstract Architecting the Myelin Landscape Scientists consider how oligodendrocytes and their precursors could be influenced by inductive, attractive, permissive, repulsive, and preventative cues, and discusses recent evidence identifying synaptic activity and membrane-bound adhesion molecules as such cues directing axon selection. [Curr Opin Neurobiol] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the neural cell research field. | |
| |
SCIENCE NEWSvTv Therapeutics to Present Two Posters vTv Therapeutics Inc. announced that data on the company’s Phase III Alzheimer’s candidate, azeliragon, an oral antagonist of the Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproducts, was presented. [Press release from vTv Therapeutics Inc. discussing research presented at the 2017 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), London] Press Release Neurotrope Presents Phase II Data Assessing Bryostatin-1 in Moderate-to-Severe Alzheimer’s Patients Neurotrope, Inc. presented clinical results from its recently completed Phase II trial demonstrating that moderate-to-severe Alzheimer’s disease patients treated with bryostatin-1 showed preliminary evidence of sustained improvement in cognition compared to placebo. [Press release from Neurotrope, Inc. (PR Newswire Association LLC.) discussing research presented at the 2017 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), London] Press Release Regenacy Pharmaceuticals, LLC announced the presentation of preclinical data supporting the use of selective inhibition of histone deacetylase 1 and 2 (HDAC1,2) as a potential treatment approach for Alzheimer’s disease. [Press release from Regenacy Pharmaceuticals, LLC discussing research to be presented at the 2017 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), London] Press Release Merck Announces Presentations of Clinical and Real-World Data Merck announced the presentation of data. [Press release from Merck & Co., Inc. discussing research to be presented at the 2017 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), London] Press Release Alzheon Presents New Data for Lead Candidate ALZ-801 on Novel MOA and Long-Term Clinical Efficacy Alzheon, Inc. announced data from the company’s three presentations. [Press release from Alzheon, Inc. discussing research to be presented at the 2017 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), London] Press Release Proclara Biosciences Presents New Preclinical Data Supporting the Development of NPT189 Proclara Biosciences announced that new research and preclinical data describing the development of NPT189, its next-generation fusion protein, were presented. [Press release from Proclara Biosciences discussing research presented at the 2017 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), London] Press Release KalGene Pharmaceuticals Inc., NRC, CIMTEC and McGill to Present Ground-Breaking Preclinical Data KalGene Pharmaceuticals Inc., in collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), CIMTEC and the McGill Centre for Studies in Aging, have demonstrated that KalGene’s Alzheimer’s therapeutics candidate, licensed from the NRC, crosses the blood-brain barrier, and reduces amyloid-beta burden in a transgenic rat model after a four week treatment. [Press release from KalGene Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Business Wire, Inc.) discussing research presented at the 2017 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), London] Press Release New Preclinical Data for Intepirdine Suggests Potential Neuroprotective Properties Axovant Sciences announced new data from a preclinical study which suggests that intepirdine may have neuroprotective properties against vascular injury and neuronal metabolic dysfunction. [Press release from Axovant Sciences discussing research presented at the 2017 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), London] Press Release EIP Pharma Announces Presentation of New Positive Clinical Data with Neflamapimod (VX-745) EIP Pharma, LLC announced that new clinical data with neflamapimod were presented. [Press release from EIP Pharma, LLC discussing research presented at the 2017 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), London] Press Release Biogen presented data from its Alzheimer’s disease programs. [Press release from Biogen discussing research presented at the 2017 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), London] Press Release | |
| |
INDUSTRY NEWSPairnomix Teams Up with StemoniX to Co-Develop New Epilepsy Model Pairnomix, LLC and StemoniX announced a new strategic partnership. The partnership will combine Pairnomix’s expertise in epilepsy modeling with StemoniX’s proprietary microBrain® technology to create a new in vitro seizure-in-a-dish model system. [Pairnomix, LLC] Press Release DelMar Pharmaceuticals announced the completion of the first site initiation visit at the Dent Neurological Institute for its pivotal Phase III Study in Temozolomide-Avastin Recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) (STAR-3). [DelMar Pharmaceuticals] Press Release BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. announced that it has signed definitive agreements with Massachusetts General Hospital and California Pacific Medical Center to enroll patients in the planned Phase III clinical trial of NurOwn® in ALS, pending FDA and Institutional Review Board approvals. [BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release FUJIFILM Corporation announced that the company’s Alzheimer’s Disease drug “T-817MA,” did not meet its primary study endpoints of cognition or global clinical function in its Phase II clinical trial conducted in the United States on patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s Disease. There were no significant differences in secondary outcomes. [FUJIFILM Corporation] Press Release AXON’s Tau Vaccine Has Completed Phase II Enrollment in Alzheimer’s AXON Neuroscience completed recruitment for its Phase II clinical trial in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In total, 208 patients with mild AD were enrolled in the 24-month study, powered to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the AADvac1. [AXON Neuroscience (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. announced completion of enrollment and dosing of the AIS-B 10 million cell cohort in the company’s ongoing SCiStar Phase I/IIa clinical study of AST-OPC1 in complete cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). In this cohort, five patients with AIS-B grade SCIs were administered 10 million AST-OPC1 cells. [Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc.] Press Release Promising Therapy for Fatal Genetic Diseases in Children Nears Human Trials Researchers at University of Massachusetts Medical School and Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine are nearing human clinical trials on a genetic therapy for two rare neurological diseases that are fatal to children. [University of Massachusetts Medical School] Press Release The Alzheimer’s Association announced the launch of a $20 million U.S. two-year clinical trial to test the ability of a multi-dimensional lifestyle intervention to prevent cognitive decline and dementia in 2,500 older adults with no current cognitive symptoms but who are at increased risk for later cognitive decline. [The Alzheimer’s Association (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release Cure Alzheimer’s Fund Receives $900,000 Donation from the Edward and Mary Lord Foundation Cure Alzheimer’s Fund announced that it has received a $900,000 donation from the Edward and Mary Lord Foundation. [Cure Alzheimer’s Fund (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release ModGene Pharma Announces Issuance of US Patent for Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention ModGene Pharma, LLC announced the issuance of US Patent 9,707,231, entitled “Compositions and Methods for Reduction of Amyloid-beta Load.” The claims cover the use of an imatinib-related compound for reduction of amyloid-β production in Alzheimer’s disease. [ModGene Pharma, LLC] Press Release | |
| |
POLICY NEWSSome Scientists Hate NIH’s New Definition of a Clinical Trial. Here’s Why Scientists in behavioral research fields — from cognitive psychology to vision science — were dismayed to learn that the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, could soon deem their studies to be clinical trials. [ScienceInsider] Editorial Salk Institute under Fire for ‘Smear’ on Women Suing It for Discrimination Alleging decades of gender discrimination, two senior female scientists sued the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, sparking a public relations debacle that has engulfed the venerable institution and could threaten its appeal to donors and new researchers. Leaders of the San Diego, California, research center have strenuously denied the allegations made by biologists Vicki Lundblad and Katherine Jones, and publicly questioned their productivity and the quality of their scientific work. [ScienceInsider] Editorial Relatively Few NIH Grantees Get Lion’s Share of Agency’s Funding The rich have been getting richer in the biomedical research enterprise, and the system favors those who are already doing pretty well, according to a new analysis of National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant recipients. [ScienceInsider] Editorial
| |
EVENTSNEW 2017 National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer Conference Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
| |
JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Synthetic Biology/Neurobiology (University of Edinburgh) Postdoctoral Position – Neuroscience (Max Planck Society) Postdoctoral Fellow – Development and Function of Neural Circuits (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) 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 Scientist – Neural Stem Cell Biology (Institute for Neuroscience of Montpellier) 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.
| |
Have we missed an important article or publication in Neural Cell News? Click here to submit! Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here. | |
|