Neural Cell News Volume 12.17 | May 2 2018

TOP STORY

A Novel Role for CAMKIIβ in the Regulation of Cortical Neuron Migration: Implications for Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Knockdown of CaMKIIβ caused accelerated migration of nascent pyramidal neurons, whereas overexpression of CaMKIIβ inhibited migration, demonstrating that precise regulation of CaMKIIβ expression is required for correct neuronal migration. [Mol Psychiatry] Abstract

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Mutant IDH1 Promotes Glioma Formation In Vivo

Investigators assessed the role of IDH1^R132H in glioma development in the context of clinically relevant cooperating genetic alterations in vitro and in vivo. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Press Release | Graphical Abstract

let-7 MicroRNA-Mediated Regulation of Shh Signaling and the Gene Regulatory Network Is Essential for Retina Regeneration

Researchers explored the significance of developmentally inevitable Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling and found its necessity in Müller glia reprogramming during retina regeneration. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

The Constitutive Activity of the Virally Encoded Chemokine Receptor US28 Accelerates Glioblastoma Growth

The authors showed that human cytomegalovirus, through the expression of US28, significantly enhanced the growth of 3D spheroids of U251 and neurospheres of primary glioblastoma cells. [Oncogene] Full Article

Inducible Expression of GDNF in Transplanted iPSC-Derived Neural Progenitor Cells

Scientists engineered a doxycycline-regulated vector, allowing inducible and reversible expression of a therapeutic molecule. Human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neural progenitors were stably transfected with the vector and transplanted into the adult mouse brain. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

INK4a/ARF Expression Impairs Neurogenesis in the Brain of Irradiated Mice

Researchers found that exposure to ionizing radiation leads to persistent DNA damage and the expression of p16INK4a in the hippocampus and subventricular zone regions. This was accompanied by a decline in neurogenesis, as determined by doublecortin expression and bromodeoxyuridine incorporation, an effect partially restored in Ink4a/arf-null mice. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article

Localized Immunomodulation with Anti-Inflammatory Cytokine Encoding Lentivirus Enhances Functional Regeneration after Spinal Cord Injury

Scientists investigated the localized expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and IL-4 via lentiviral transduction in multichannel bridges. Porous multichannel bridges provided physical guidance for axonal outgrowth with the cytokines hypothesized to modulate the neuroinflammatory microenvironment and enhance axonal regeneration. [Mol Ther] Abstract

Common Proteomic Profiles of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Three-Dimensional Neurons and Brain Tissue from Alzheimer Patients

The authors established a unique platform for proteomic analysis of cultured 3D neurons and brain tissue from Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients. They showed that the dysfunction of 3D neurons from AD patients in their in vitro environment is comparable to the postmortem AD brain tissue in vivo. [J Proteomics] Abstract

High Glucose Inhibits Neural Stem Cell Differentiation through Oxidative Stress and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

High glucose suppressed neural stem cell differentiation by significantly decreasing the expression of the neuron marker Tuj1 and the glial cell marker GFAP, and the numbers of Tuj1⁺ and GFAP⁺ cells. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Repurposing HAMI3379 to Block GPR17 and Promote Rodent and Human Oligodendrocyte Differentiation

GPR17 blockade by HAMI3379 enhanced maturation of primary rat and mouse oligodendrocytes, but was without effect in oligodendrocytes from GPR17 knockout mice. In human oligodendrocytes prepared from inducible pluripotent stem cells, GPR17 was expressed and its activation impaired oligodendrocyte differentiation. [Cell Chem Biol] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Rostrocaudal Areal Patterning of Human PSC-Derived Cortical Neurons by FGF8 Signaling

Investigators recapitulated cortical rostrocaudal (R-C) patterning in human pluripotent stem cell (PSC) cultures. Modulation of FGF8 signaling appropriately regulated the R-C markers, and the patterns of global gene expression resembled those of the corresponding areas of human fetal brains. [eNeuro] Full Article

Transcription Factor Mechanisms Guiding Motor Neuron Differentiation and Diversification

With the advent of next generation sequencing approaches, researchers now have unprecedented access to the gene regulatory dynamics involved in motor neuron development and are uncovering new connections linking neurodevelopment and neurodegenerative disease. [Curr Opin Neurobiol] Abstract

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Neuraltus Pharmaceuticals Reports Results from Phase II NP001 Study in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Neuraltus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced findings from a confirmatory Phase II study of its investigational therapy, NP001, in ALS patients with elevated levels of systemic inflammation. [Press release from Neuraltus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. discussing research presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 70^th Annual Meeting, Los Angeles] Press Release

Human-on-a-Chip Company Hesperos Licenses First Functional Stem-Cell Derived Neuromuscular Junction Model

Hesperos, Inc. has increased its pioneering human-on-a-chip drug testing capabilities by adding a new in vitro, human-human neuromuscular model to its patented multi-organ microfluidic device systems. [Hesperos, Inc. (BusinessWire Inc.)] Press Release

Medicenna Amends Protocol of Phase IIb Recurrent Glioblastoma Study of MDNA55 in Response to Strong Safety Data and Early Efficacy Read-Outs

Medicenna Therapeutics Corp. announced that half the patients in the ongoing Phase IIb study of MDNA55 in recurrent glioblastoma have been recruited and the data to date demonstrate solid safety results and early signals of efficacy based on the findings of the Safety Review and Clinical Advisory Committees, comprised of key opinion leaders and study investigators. [Medicenna Therapeutics Corp.] Press Release

Kadimastem Announces the Enrollment of the First Patient for Its Clinical Trial in ALS Patients

Kadimastem announced the enrollment of the first patient for its clinical trial in ALS patients, using the cell therapy product developed by the company, AstroRx^®. [Kadimastem] Press Release

Alkermes Completes Patient Enrollment in Pivotal Weight Study of ALKS 3831 for Schizophrenia

Alkermes plc announced completion of patient enrollment in ENLIGHTEN-2, the second of two key phase III studies in the ENLIGHTEN clinical development program for ALKS 3831, an investigational, novel, once-daily, oral atypical antipsychotic drug candidate for the treatment of schizophrenia. [Alkermes plc] Press Release

First Patient Treated with Focused Ultrasound in Parkinson’s Disease Pivotal Trial

The first patient in a multicenter pivotal trial using focused ultrasound to address the major motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease has been treated at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York. [Focused Ultrasound Foundation] Press Release

Study to Explore Whether Cannabis Compound Eases Severe Symptoms of Autism

Researchers are preparing a first-of-its-kind, multidisciplinary investigation to determine if and how cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant, provides therapeutic benefit to children with severe symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. [University of California San Diego School of Medicine] Press Release

Miracle Cures or Modern Quackery? Stem Cell Clinics Multiply, with Heartbreaking Results for Some Patients

No one tracks how many injuries have occurred from unproven, direct-to-consumer treatments. Such cases have become public in recent years only when doctors write about them in medical journals or patients file lawsuits. [The Washington Post] Editorial

Scientists Alarmed by Report White House May Tighten Limits on Chinese Researchers in U.S.

One of the nation’s leading scientific organizations expressed alarm about a report that the White House is considering imposing further limits on research by Chinese citizens in the United States, saying that “scientific progress depends on openness, transparency, and the free flow of ideas. [STAT News] Editorial

Prominent Cell Biologist Fired after Data Manipulation Investigation

A University of Tokyo scientist known for his work on cell division has been fired, Retraction Watch reports. The university announced the “disciplinary dismissal” in a statement. [The Scientist] Editorial

Despite Increase, Research and Innovation Budget Will Not Support Ambitious Plans

The budget for Horizon Europe, the next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027), announced by the European Commission as part of the next Multiannual Financial Framework will not be sufficient to meet Europe’s political goals and solve the challenges that it faces. Science Europe welcomes the mild increase to €97.6 billion, but considers a more substantial commitment required. [BH-Science Europe] Editorial

NEW Keystone Symposia: New Frontiers in Neuroinflammation: What Happens When CNS and Periphery Meet?
June 17-21, 2018
Keystone, Colorado, United States

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NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Glioma Genetics/Epigenetics (Heidelberg University)

Postdoctoral Positions – RNA Biology and Neurodegenerative Disease (Johns Hopkins University)

Research Technician – Neuroscience (Howard Hughes Medical Institute)

Postdoctoral Position – Brain Disorders (New York Medical College)

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)

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

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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