Neural Cell News Volume 11.42 | Oct 25 2017

TOP STORY

Fibroblast Growth Factor 13 Regulates Glioma Cell Invasion and Is Important for Bevacizumab-Induced Glioma Invasion

To determine the role of the invasion-related genes, invasive activities were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Fibroblast growth factor 13 was overexpressed in J3T-2 cells compared to J3T-1 cells, and in human glioma cell lines, human glioblastoma stem cells and human glioblastoma specimens, when compared to that of normal human astrocytes. [Oncogene] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Recapitulating Cortical Development with Organoid Culture In Vitro and Modeling Abnormal Spindle-Like (ASPM Related Primary) Microcephaly Disease

Several previous efforts have shown to grow neural organoid in culture dishes successfully; however, investigators demonstrated a new paradigm that recapitulates neocortical development process with ventricular zone, outer subventricular zone formation and the lamination organization of cortical layer structure. [Protein Cell] Full Article

Nuclear Fragments of the Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule NCAM with or without Polysialic Acid Differentially Regulate Gene Expression

The authors showed that the nuclear import of the polysialic acid (PSA)-carrying neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) fragment is mediated by positive cofactor 4 and cofilin, which they identified as novel PSA-binding proteins. In the nucleus, the PSA-carrying NCAM fragment interacted via PSA with PC4 and cofilin, which are involved in RNA polymerase II-dependent transcription. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Stimulation of Synapse Formation between Stem Cell-Derived Neurons and Native Brainstem Auditory Neurons

Scientists developed novel methods to co-culture neural stem cell-derived spiral ganglion-like neurons (ScNs) and mouse auditory cochlear nucleus (CN) neurons to understand whether ScNs of the peripheral nervous system synapse with CN neurons of the central nervous system. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Agmatine Inhibits Chronic Morphine Exposure-Induced Impairment of Hippocampal Neural Progenitor Proliferation in Adult Rats

Researchers investigated the role of agmatine in hippocampal neural progenitors in morphine dependence rats. They found that chronic administration of morphine for 12 days induced morphine dependence in rats. [Eur J Pharmacol] Abstract

In Vitro Modeling of Experimental Succinic Semialdehyde Dehydrogenase Deficiency (SSADHD) Using Brain-Derived Neural Stem Cells

Scientists explored the utility of neural stem cells as an in vitro model for evaluating preclinical therapeutics in SSADHD mice. Patterns of dysfunction were observed in all of these parameters and mirrored earlier findings in aldh5a1^-/- mice. [PLoS One] Full Article

Zika Virus Induces Astrocyte Differentiation in Neural Stem Cells

Researchers showed that Zika virus (ZIKV) replicated efficiently in mouse neural stem cells (mNSCs). ZIKV infection caused a cytopathic effect without affecting cell viability, yet led to a significant decrease in the number of proteins secreted into mNSC supernatants. [J Neurovirol] Abstract

Baicalin and Ginsenoside Rb1 Promote the Proliferation and Differentiation of Neural Stem Cells in Alzheimer’s Disease Model Rats

Investigators explored the effect of ginsenoside Rb1 and baicalin on the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in Alzheimer’s disease model rats. Injection of Aβ1-40 significantly reduced the number of neuronal cells. [Brain Res] Abstract

Mitochondrial Impairment in Microglia Amplifies NLRP3 Inflammasome Proinflammatory Signaling in Cell Culture and Animal Models of Parkinson’s Disease

The authors showed that impaired mitochondrial function can augment the NLRP3 inflammasome-driven proinflammatory cascade in microglia. Primary mouse microglia treated with the common inflammogen LPS increased NLRP3 and pro-IL-1β expression. [npj Parkinsons Dis] Full Article

Alzheimer’s Disease: A Matter of Blood–Brain Barrier Dysfunction?

Scientists examine blood–brain barrier breakdown in animal models frequently used to study the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), including transgenic mice expressing human amyloid-β precursor protein, presenilin 1, and tau mutations, and apolipoprotein E, the strongest genetic risk factor for AD. [J Exp Med] Full Article

Neuronal Replacement Therapy: Previous Achievements and Challenges Ahead

The authors discuss the impressive advances in neuronal replacement strategies and success from exogenous as well as endogenous cell sources. [npj Regen Med] Full Article

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

Phase III Efficacy and Safety Data for Oral Ozanimod in Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis to Be Presented

Celgene Corporation announced that new data on the efficacy and safety of ozanimod, a novel, oral, selective, sphingosine 1-phosphate 1 and 5 receptor modulator, in relapsing multiple sclerosis were accepted for presentation. [Press release from Celgene Corporation discussing research to be presented at the MSParis2017 – 7^th Joint ECTRIMS-ACTRIMS Meeting, Paris] Press Release

Teva to Highlight New Data in Multiple Sclerosis

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced that new data on its MS program, including COPAXONE^®, a product for relapsing forms of MS, and laquinimod, an investigational MS therapy, will be highlighted in eleven presentations. [Press release from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. discussing research to be presented at the MSParis2017 – 7^th Joint ECTRIMS-ACTRIMS Meeting, Paris] Press Release

Newron Pharmaceuticals to Present and Host Advisory Board Meeting

Newron Pharmaceuticals S.p.A. announced an oral presentation. At the congress, Newron will also host an advisory board meeting as part of the International Burden of Disease Study, evaluating the burden of disease experienced by patients with Rett syndrome and their families. [Press release from Newron Pharmaceuticals S.p.A. (Business Wire, Inc.) discussing research to be presented at the 2017 European Rett Syndrome Congress (ERSC), Berlin] Press Release

NIH BRAIN Initiative Launches Cell Census

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) launched a major effort to discover and catalog the brain’s “parts list”. The NIH’s Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative Cell Census Network aims to provide researchers with a comprehensive reference of the diverse cell types in human, monkey, and mouse brain. [The National Institutes of Health] Press Release

First Open Database of Live Human Brain Cells

The Allen Institute for Brain Science added the first data from human nerve cells to the Allen Cell Types Database: a publicly available tool for researchers to explore and understand the building blocks of the human brain. [Allen Institute] Press Release | Editorial | Video

Allen Institute for Brain Science Awarded ~$100 Million to Lead Global Collaborations that Will Build Comprehensive Atlases of Brain Cell Types

The National Institutes of Health awarded the Allen Institute for Brain Science three five-year grants totaling nearly $100 million, to expand upon work in investigating cell types in the mouse and human brains: a crucial step toward understanding brain health and disease. [Allen Institute] Press Release

Salk Scientists Lead $25 Million Initiative to Develop Atlas of Brain Cell Types

Salk Institute scientists will lead a multimillion-dollar, five-year initiative to revolutionize our understanding of the human brain by systematically identifying and cataloging cell types across the mammalian brain, the National Institutes of Health announced. [Salk Institute] Press Release

Biogen and Eisai Expand Existing Collaboration Agreement to Develop and Commercialize Investigational Alzheimer’s Disease Treatments including Phase III Aducanumab

Eisai Co., Ltd. and Biogen Inc. announced that the companies have expanded their existing agreement to jointly develop and commercialize investigational Alzheimer’s disease treatments. [Biogen Inc.] Press Release

Alector and AbbVie Announce Collaboration to Advance a Novel Class of Immune Therapies for Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease

AbbVie and Alector announced a global strategic collaboration to develop and commercialize medicines to treat Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. [AbbVie Inc.] Press Release

1ST Bio and Neuraly Collaborate to Advance Novel c-Abl Inhibitors for Parkinson’s Disease

1ST Biotherapeutics, Inc. and Neuraly Inc. announced a collaboration to co-develop novel brain penetrant c-Abl inhibitors for Parkinson’s disease. [1ST Biotherapeutics, Inc. (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

Innovative Alzheimer’s Combination Therapy Trial Supported by New Joint Funding Initiative

The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) and the Alzheimer’s Association are collaborating to jointly fund a new combination therapy clinical trial for Alzheimer’s disease to be conducted by Amylyx Pharmaceuticals. The $1.85 million grant is the first award under an initiative created by the ADDF and the Alzheimer’s Association to fund combination therapies. [The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation] Press Release

Lethal Brain Tumors Prompt $1 Million Research Pledge

The University of South Australia will use a $1 million research pledge to develop new drugs in the fight against lethal brain tumors, which kill 95 per cent of patients within five years. [The University of South Australia] Press Release

Biogen Announces AFFINITY Phase II Trial Initiation for Opicinumab (Anti-LINGO-1) in Multiple Sclerosis

Biogen announced the recent initiation of the Phase II clinical trial AFFINITY, designed to evaluate opicinumab as an investigational add-on therapy in people with relapsing MS. The trial follows the comprehensive review of SYNERGY, a Phase II trial, which identified a specific population that may be more likely to respond to treatment. [Biogen Inc.] Press Release

Abzena and UGA Biopharma Partner to Develop a Cell Line Expressing a Biosimilar Therapeutic for Multiple Sclerosis

Abzena plc and UGA Biopharma GmbH announced the completion of the development of a biosimilar cell line to treat MS. [Abzena plc (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

FDA Grants Fast Track Designation to Alzheon’s ALZ-801 Development Program for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheon, Inc. announced that the FDA has granted Fast Track designation to its lead clinical investigational drug, ALZ-801, for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. [Alzheon, Inc.] Press Release

French Scientists in Uproar over Changes to Medical-Research Clusters

A group of French scientists is due to meet government officials in a bid to resolve a row that has left many of the country’s leading biomedical researchers furious. Scientists were shocked when the government unexpectedly postponed a call for applications to create a new crop of medical-research clusters just days before the closing date, and said that it would slash the budget earmarked for the project. [Nature News] Editorial

United States Should Dramatically Retool Animal Research Rules, Groups Say

The Association of American Medical Colleges and three allied groups are pushing for sweeping changes to animal research rules. In a report, the groups call for moving all oversight to a single, unnamed agency, conducting less frequent lab inspections, and giving researchers greater say in crafting new rules. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW The Alzheimer’s Research UK 2018 Conference
March 20-21, 2018
London, United Kingdom

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Biology and Neuroscience (The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston)

Assistant Professor – Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (University of British Columbia)

Faculty Position – Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research (Indiana University)

PhD Student – Brain Organoids (University of Antwerp)

PhD Students – Glioblastomas (Various Organizations)

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)

Faculty Members – Neuroscience (Mercer University)

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.