Neural Cell News Volume 12.15 | Apr 18 2018

TOP STORY

An In Vivo Model of Functional and Vascularized Human Brain Organoids

To provide a vascularized and functional in vivo model of brain organoids, scientists established a method for transplanting human brain organoids into the adult mouse brain. Organoid grafts showed progressive neuronal differentiation and maturation, gliogenesis, integration of microglia, and growth of axons to multiple regions of the host brain. [Nat Biotechnol] Abstract | Press Release | Editorial

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Cell-Autonomous Regulation of Dendrite Self-Avoidance by the Wnt Secretory Factor MIG-14/Wntless

Researchers report an unexpected, cell-autonomous role of the Wnt-secretory factor MIG-14/Wntless in mediating dendrite self-avoidance in the C. elegans multidendritic PVD neurons. [Neuron] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

A TLR/AKT/FoxO3 Immune Tolerance-Like Pathway Disrupts the Repair Capacity of Oligodendrocyte Progenitors

Investigators identified a specific bioactive hyaluronan fragment that downregulates myelin gene expression and chronically blocks oligodendrocyte progenitor cell maturation and myelination via a tolerance-like mechanism that dysregulates pro-myelination signaling via AKT. [J Clin Invest] Full Article

Neuronal SphK1 Acetylates COX2 and Contributes to Pathogenesis in a Model of Alzheimer’s Disease

Scientists demonstrate that neurons in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and AD mice show reduction of sphingosine kinase1 (SphK1), leading to defective microglial phagocytosis and dysfunction of inflammation resolution due to decreased secretion of specialized proresolving mediators. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Somatic Genome Editing with the RCAS-TVA-CRISPR-Cas9 System for Precision Tumor Modeling

Researchers combined the RCAS-TVA system with the CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing tools for precise modeling of human tumors. They showed that somatic deletion in neural stem cells of a variety of known tumor suppressor genes leads to high-grade glioma formation. [Nat Commun] Full Article | Press Release

Large SOD1 Aggregates, Unlike Trimeric SOD1, Do Not Impact Cell Viability in a Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

The authors designed superoxide dismutase (SOD1) mutations that specifically stabilized either the fibrillar form or the trimeric state of SOD1. The trimer-stabilizing mutant, G147P, promoted cell death, even more potently in comparison with the aggressive ALS-associated mutants A4V and G93A. In contrast, the fibril-stabilizing mutants, N53I and D101I, positively impacted the survival of motor neuron-like cells. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release

Transplantation of Neural Progenitor Cells Expressing Glial Cell Line‐Derived Neurotrophic Factor into the Motor Cortex as a Strategy to Treat Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Human cortical‐derived neural progenitor cells engineered to secrete glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) were transplanted into the SOD1^G93A ALS rat cortex, where they migrated, matured into astrocytes, and released GDNF. This protected motor neurons, delayed disease pathology and extended survival of the animals. [Stem Cells] Full Article

Shared Effects of DISC1 Disruption and Elevated WNT Signaling in Human Cerebral Organoids

Scientists showed that DISC1-mutant cerebral organoids display disorganized structural morphology and impaired proliferation, which is phenocopied by WNT agonism and rescued by WNT antagonism. [Transl Psychiatry] Full Article

Wnt Signal Activation Induces Midbrain Specification through Direct Binding of the Beta-Catenin/TCF4 Complex to the EN1 Promoter in Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

The authors found that activating the canonical Wnt signal significantly upregulated the expression of EN1, a midbrain-specific marker, in a fibroblast growth factor signal-dependent manner in human pluripotent stem cell-derived neural precursor cells. [Exp Mol Med] Full Article

Aligned Contiguous Microfiber Platform Enhances Neural Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells

Investigators utilized biocompatible and biodegradable poly lactic-co-glycolic acid to design a novel aligned contiguous microfiber platform (ACMFP) as substrates for the neuronal induction of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. They found that the ACMFP can enhance the neuronal differentiation of mouse ES cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Advances in Controlling Differentiation of Adult Stem Cells for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration

A comprehensive review of recent advances in the transdifferentiation of adult stem cells via different approaches along with multifunctional conduit/scaffolds designs is presented for peripheral nerve regeneration. [Adv Healthc Mater] Abstract

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

EMD Serono Highlights Commitment to Advance Multiple Sclerosis Treatment with Investigational Cladribine Tablets and Rebif^® Data

EMD Serono announced that data for cladribine tablets, an investigational treatment for MS, and Rebif^® will be presented. [Press release from EMD Serono discussing research to be presented at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) 70^th Annual Meeting, Los Angeles] Press Release

Acorda to Present New Data for INBRIJA^™ (Levodopa Inhalation Powder)

Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. will present new data for INBRIJA during four oral platform presentations. INBRIJA is an investigational inhaled levodopa treatment for symptoms of OFF periods in people with Parkinson’s disease taking a carbidopa/levodopa regimen. [Press release from Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. discussing research to be presented at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) 70^th Annual Meeting, Los Angeles] Press Release

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Could Stem Cells Repair the Heart, Fight Infections, Mend Premature Lungs, and Heal the Brain after Stroke?

Researchers from The Ottawa Hospital, CHEO and the University of Ottawa are bringing discoveries made in the lab closer to human trials and therapies, thanks to five new peer-reviewed research grants from the Stem Cell Network worth $999,900, part of an overall investment of $4 million across Canada. [The Ottawa Hospital] Press Release

Neuralstem Announces First Surgery Completed in Cervical Cohort of Phase I Clinical Trial in Patients with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

Neuralstem, Inc. announced that it completed the first surgery in the second, cervical injury cohort of a Phase I clinical trial in patients with chronic spinal cord injury. [Neuralstem, Inc.] Press Release

Nature Cell and Biostar Stem Cell Research Institute Begin World’s First Stem Cell-Based Regenerative Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease in Japan

South Korea’s Biostar Stem Cell Research Institute, jointly operated by Nature Cell and Rbio, announced that Trinity Clinic Fukuoka, a partner hospital in Japan, received approval for the application of regenerative medicine in Alzheimer’s disease and officially began stem cell treatment. [Biostar Stem Cell Research Institute (BusinessWire Inc.)] Press Release

Could Stem Cells Repair the Heart, Fight Infections, Mend Premature Lungs, and Heal the Brain after Stroke?

Researchers from The Ottawa Hospital, CHEO and the University of Ottawa are bringing discoveries made in the lab closer to human trials and therapies, thanks to five new peer-reviewed research grants from the Stem Cell Network worth $999,900, part of an overall investment of $4 million across Canada. [The Ottawa Hospital] Press Release

African Scientists Call for More Control of Their Continent’s Genomic Data

Africa-based researchers issued guidelines for the ethical handling of samples for genomic studies. The voluntary rules are an effort to combat ‘helicopter’ research, in which foreign scientists take samples and data from communities and then return to their home institutions. [Nature News] Editorial

A Final Dash across the United States: Updates from the 2018 March for Science

The March for Science celebrated its anniversary. And although the turnout around the world was significantly smaller than last year, supporters haven’t lost any of their energy. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Spain’s Biggest-Ever Science Petition Decries ‘Abandonment’ of Research

Leading Spanish scientific organizations delivered a petition signed by more than 277,000 people to the national parliament in Madrid, calling on the government to stop the “progressive abandonment of science in Spain” caused by budget cuts. The petition is the largest ever on a science-policy subject in Spain. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Gordon Research Conferences: Barriers of the CNS
June 17-22, 2018
New London, New Hampshire, United States

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

NEW Research Technician – Neuroscience (Howard Hughes Medical Institute)

Postdoctoral Position – Brain Disorders (New York Medical College)

Postdoctoral Biologist – Neural Cell (University of Oxford)

Research Fellow/Associate – Neuroscience and Diabetes (Rutgers University)

Postdoctoral Position – Bacterial Virulence Factors (University of California, Irvine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Neural Control of Circulation (MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer, Immunotherapy, and Fibrosis (University of Alabama at Birmingham)

Scientist – Molecular Neuroscience (Loyola University Chicago)

Postdoctoral Associate – hiPSC-Based Brain Organoids (Rutgers University)

Postdoctoral Position – Neuroscience and Mitochondrial Physiology (University of Moncton)

Postdoctoral Position – Pain in Mouse Models of Spinal Cord Injury (Indiana University)

Postdoctoral Position – Spinal Cord Injury (Nanyang Technological University)

Multiple Faculty Positions – Neuroscience and Neuroengineering (Tsinghua University)

Faculty Members – Neuroscience (Mercer University)

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