Neural Cell News Volume 11.38 | Sep 27 2017

TOP STORY

Stem Cell-Derived Neurons from Autistic Individuals with SHANK3 Mutation Show Morphogenetic Abnormalities during Early Development

The authors differentiated pluripotent cells into either cortical or olfactory placodal neurons. Patient-derived cells displayed a developmental phenotype: young postmitotic neurons have smaller cell bodies, more extensively branched neurites, and reduced motility compared with controls. These phenotypes were mimicked by SHANK3-edited embryonic stem cells and rescued by transduction with a Shank3 expression construct. [Mol Psychiatry] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

A Upf3b-Mutant Mouse Model with Behavioral and Neurogenesis Defects

Investigators report the generation and characterization of mice harboring a null Upf3b allele. Neural stem cells from Upf3b-null mice have impaired ability to undergo differentiation and require prolonged culture to give rise to functional neurons with electrical activity. [Mol Psychiatry] Abstract

Neural Precursor Cell–Secreted TGF-β2 Redirects Inflammatory Monocyte-Derived Cells in CNS Autoimmunity

Researchers found that intrathecal transplantation of neural stem/precursor cells (NPCs) in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis impairs the accumulation of inflammatory monocyte-derived cells (MCs) in the central nervous system, leading to improved clinical outcome. In vivo and in vitro transcriptome analyses showed that NPC-secreted factors inhibit MC differentiation and activation, favoring the switch toward an anti-inflammatory phenotype. [J Clin Invest] Full Article

CD90 Expression Controls Migration and Predicts Dasatinib Response in Glioblastoma

The function of CD90 in glioblastoma (GBM) was addressed using cellular models from immortalized and primary GBM lines, in vivo orthotopic mouse models, GBM specimens’ transcriptome associated with MRI features from GBM patients. Scientists showed that CD90 is not only expressed on GBM stem cells, but also on more differentiated GBM cancer cells. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

Cic Loss Promotes Gliomagenesis via Aberrant Neural Stem Cell Proliferation and Differentiation

Investigators generated Capicua (CIC)-deficient mice and human oligodendroglioma cell models. In vitro cultured neural stem cells derived from Cic conditional knockout mice bypassed an EGF requirement for proliferation and displayed a defect in their potential for oligodendrocyte differentiation. [Cancer Res] Abstract

DNA Methylome Analysis Identifies Transcription Factor-Based Epigenomic Signatures of Multilineage Competence in Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells

Scientists report DNA methylome analyses of directly sampled cortical neural stem and progenitor cells (NS/PCs) at different development stages, as well as those of terminally differentiated cortical neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. They found that sequential specification of cortical NS/PCs is regulated by two successive waves of demethylation at early and late development stages, which are responsible for the establishment of neuron- and glia-specific low-methylated regions, respectively. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Vitamin C-Induced Epigenetic Modifications in Donor NSCs Establish Midbrain Marker Expressions Critical for Cell-Based Therapy in Parkinson’s Disease

Researchers showed that treatment of vitamin C (VC) enhances generation of authentic midbrain-type dopamine (mDA) neurons with improved survival and functions from ventral midbrain-derived neural stem/precursor cells (NSCs). VC acted by upregulating a series of mDA neuron-specific developmental and phenotype genes via removal of DNA methylation and repressive histone code at associated gene promoter regions. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

MANF Promotes Differentiation and Migration of Neural Progenitor Cells with Potential Neural Regenerative Effects in Stroke

The authors demonstrated that endogenous MANF protects neural stem cells (NSCs) against oxygen-glucose-deprivation-induced injury and has a crucial role in regulating neural progenitor cell migration. In NSC cultures, MANF protein administration did not affect growth of cells but triggered neuronal/glial differentiation followed by activation of STAT3. [Mol Ther] Abstract | Full Article

The Splicing Co-Factor Barricade/Tat-SF1, Is Required for Cell Cycle and Lineage Progression in Drosophila Neural Stem Cells

Researchers addressed the role of the evolutionary conserved splicing co-factor Barricade (Barc)/Tat-SF1/CUS2 in Drosophila neural stem cell lineage formation. They showed that Barc is required for the generation of neurons during Drosophila brain development by ensuring correct neural progenitor proliferation and differentiation. [Development] Abstract

Human Mesenchymal Factors Induce Rat Hippocampal- and Human Neural Stem Cell Dependent Oligodendrogenesis

The authors investigated to what degree mesenchymal stem cell secreted factors are species dependent, whether hippocampal adult neural stem cells respond equally well to such stimuli, whether apart from oligodendroglial differentiation also tissue integration and axonal wrapping can be promoted, and whether the oligodendrogenic effect involved subcellular translocation of p57kip2. [Glia] Abstract

Characteristic Analyses of a Neural Differentiation Model from iPSC-Derived Neuron According to Morphology, Physiology, and Global Gene Expression Pattern

Scientists investigated the characteristics of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) during differentiation. Morphological characteristics of the NPCs, including soma area, neurite length, and the number of neurite branches, were examined on selected differentiation days. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Reprogramming of Somatic Cells to Induced Neural Stem Cells

The authors describe the pros and cons of different methods employed to directly reprogram somatic cells to induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) along with the progress of iNSCs applications and the future challenges. [Methods] Abstract

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

Medicenna Announces Late Breaking Oral Presentation

Medicenna Therapeutics Corp. announced that Dr. John Sampson M.D., Ph.D. MBA, Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at Duke University Medical Centre will present at a late breaking session. [Press release from Medicenna Therapeutics Corp. discussing research to be presented at the 2017 Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) Annual Meeting, Boston] Press Release

UTSA Puts Stake in the Ground in Battle against Brain Disease with Formation of World-Class Research Cluster

Making a bold commitment to develop groundbreaking approaches for treating brain diseases and injuries, The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) has assembled a world-class research enterprise, comprised of 40 of the nation’s leading brain health researchers, dedicated to conquering the greatest mysteries of the brain. [The University of Texas at San Antonio] Press Release

First Chancellor’s Fund Research Grants Awarded for 10 U of A Faculty Proposals

More than 30 University of Arkansas (U of A) faculty have been awarded the first ten research grants from the Chancellor’s Discovery, Creativity, Innovation and Collaboration Fund. The researchers will develop a new way to measure changes inside the brain from outside the skull, which may be key for diagnosing and treating disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke and autism. [University of Arkansas] Press Release

Axovant Announces Negative Topline Results of Intepirdine Phase III MINDSET Trial in Alzheimer’s Disease

Axovant Sciences announced that the Phase III MINDSET clinical trial of its investigational drug intepirdine in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease who were receiving background donepezil therapy did not meet its co-primary efficacy endpoints. [Axovant Sciences, Inc.] Press Release

UNM Cancer Center Plays Key Role in First-in-Human Testing of New Cancer Drug

The University of New Mexico (UNM) Comprehensive Cancer Center played a key role in the first clinical trials of a new drug that targets solid cancer tumors. The Phase Ia clinical trials mark the first time ever the drug was used in people. [The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center] Press Release

Promis Neurosciences Independent Director Anthony J. Giovinazzo Recognized with Inaugural Bloom Burton Award for Innovation in Canadian Healthcare

ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc. announced that Independent Director Anthony J. Giovinazzo was recently bestowed the inaugural Bloom Burton Award for his extraordinary impact on Canada’s innovative healthcare industry. [ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc.] Press Release

Promis Neurosciences Announces Successful Humanization of Lead Product Candidate PMN310 for Alzheimer’s Disease

ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc. announced the successful humanization of its lead product candidate for Alzheimer’s disease, PMN310, a monoclonal antibody targeting toxic prion-like forms of amyloid-beta oligomers. [ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc.] Press Release

Amylyx Pharmaceuticals Receives FDA Orphan Drug Designation for AMX0035 for the Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the FDA has granted orphan drug designation to AMX0035, an oral therapeutic in clinical development for the treatment of ALS. The company recently began a Phase II clinical study, the CENTAUR trial, to evaluate the safety and efficacy of AMX0035 in ALS patients. [Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Senate Panel Blocks NIH from Revising Translational Research Awards

A congressional spending panel has backed scientists running a $516 million network of bench-to-bedside research centers in their fight with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, over how it manages the network. It’s the latest step in a long-running tug-of-war over the direction of the Clinical and Translational Science Awards program. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Canada Names New Chief Science Adviser

Mona Nemer, a cardiology researcher and vice-president of research at the University of Ottawa, has been named Canada’s new Chief Science Adviser by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

What Germany’s Election Results Mean for Science

As Germany reels from an unexpected surge for the far right in the elections, researchers don’t expect much effect on the country’s generous support for science. But with smaller parties standing to gain political influence, battles over issues such as the regulation of gene-edited organisms and how to cut greenhouse-gas emissions could grow fiercer. [Nature News] Editorial

United Kingdom Sees Dip in European Research Applications after Brexit Vote

The number of researchers applying for Europe-funded Marie Curie fellowships in the United Kingdom has dipped slightly since the country’s vote to leave the European Union, data released to Nature show. But there is no evidence yet of a sharp collapse in interest, which some scientists had feared in the wake of the Brexit referendum. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW The 2018 World Stem Cell Summit (WSCS)
January 22-26, 2018
Miami, Florida, United States

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

NEW Research Associate – Wnt Signaling (University College London)

NEW PhD Position – Extracellular Vesicles in Neural Cell Communication (Institut of Molecular Biology)

PhD Studentships – Molecular Biology (Medical Research Council, Laboratory of Molecular Biology)

Faculty Position – Neurobiology (University of California, Berkeley)

Postdoctoral Positions – Circular RNAs and Circadian Rhythms (Brandeis University)

Postdoctoral Positions – Cancer and/or Glioma Stem Cells (Cornell University)

Faculty Members – Neuroscience (Mercer University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Glioblastoma Multiforme (Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow/Associate Positions – Neuroscience (State University of New York)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Stem Cell Differentiation (University of Oklahoma)

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