Neural Cell News 12.23 June 13, 2018 | |
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TOP STORYSingle-Layer Graphene Modulates Neuronal Communication and Augments Membrane Ion Currents Researchers showed that single-layer graphene increases neuronal firing by altering membrane-associated functions in cultured cells. Graphene tuned the distribution of extracellular ions at the interface with neurons, a key regulator of neuronal excitability. [Nat Nanotechnol] Abstract | Press Release | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)STAT3 Labels a Subpopulation of Reactive Astrocytes Required for Brain Metastasis Scientists describe that brain metastatic cells induce and maintain the co-option of a pro-metastatic program driven by signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in a subpopulation of reactive astrocytes surrounding metastatic lesions. These reactive astrocytes benefit metastatic cells by their modulatory effect on the innate and acquired immune system. [Nat Med] Abstract | Press Release Block of A1 Astrocyte Conversion by Microglia Is Neuroprotective in Models of Parkinson’s Disease Researchers showed that a potent, brain-penetrant long-acting GLP1R agonist, NLY01, protects against the loss of dopaminergic neurons and behavioral deficits in the α-synuclein preformed fibril mouse model of sporadic Parkinson’s disease. [Nat Med] Abstract The authors report that angiopep‐2‐directed and redox‐responsive virus‐mimicking polymersomes can efficiently and selectively chaperone saporin, a highly potent natural protein toxin, to orthotopic human glioblastoma xenografts in nude mice. [Adv Mater] Abstract ER Lipid Defects in Neuropeptidergic Neurons Impair Sleep Patterns in Parkinson’s Disease In parkin and pink1 models, scientists identified circadian rhythm and sleep pattern defects and mapped these to specific neuropeptidergic neurons in fly models and in hypothalamic neurons differentiated from patient induced pluripotent stem cells. [Neuron] Abstract | Graphical Abstract Oligomers induced selective oxidation of the ATP synthase beta subunit and mitochondrial lipid peroxidation. These oxidation events increased the probability of permeability transition pore opening, triggering mitochondrial swelling, and ultimately cell death. [Nat Commun] Full Article | Press Release CREB Controls Cortical Circuit Plasticity and Functional Recovery after Stroke Silencing cAMP-response-element binding protein (CREB)-transfected neurons in the peri-infarct region with the hM4Di-DREADD blocked motor recovery. Reversing this inhibition allowed recovery to continue, demonstrating that by manipulating the activity of CREB-transfected neurons it is possible to turn off and on stroke recovery. [Nat Commun] Full Article The authors report evidence of gasdermin D (GSDMD)-mediated pyroptosis as a primary mechanism of inflammatory demyelination in the central nervous system during MS. By identifying GSDMD induction and pyroptosis in oligodendrocytes and microglia, they discovered a previously unrecognized mechanism driving neuroinflammation and demyelination. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release Psychedelics Promote Structural and Functional Neural Plasticity Scientists report that, like ketamine, serotonergic psychedelics are capable of robustly increasing neuritogenesis and/or spinogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. These changes in neuronal structure were accompanied by increased synapse number and function, as measured by fluorescence microscopy and electrophysiology. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Press Release | Graphical Abstract CaMKII Metaplasticity Drives Aβ Oligomer-Mediated Synaptotoxicity The authors showed that oligomeric forms of the amyloid-β peptide (oAβ) promotes the activation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) via GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors. They found that CaMKII inhibition rescues both the long-term potentiation impairment and the dendritic spine loss mediated by oAβ. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Press Release | Graphical Abstract Researchers developed a co-culture system to understand whether mouse embryonic stem cell-derived spiral ganglion neuron-like cells synapse with native mouse cochlear nucleus neurons. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract Investigators showed that TRIM32 associates with the deubiquitination enzyme USP7, which previously has been implicated in neural stem cell maintenance. USP7 and TRIM32 were found to exhibit a dynamic and partially overlapping expression pattern during neuronal differentiation both in vitro and in vivo. [Cell Death Differ] Full Article Researchers modeled the progression of pathological events during the differentiation of patient-specific iPSCs to neuroepithelial progenitor cells and mature neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes at the morphological, molecular, and biochemical level. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article | |
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REVIEWSThe Circadian Clock in Adult Neural Stem Cell Maintenance The authors discuss emerging evidence for an important role of the circadian clock in neural stem cells maintenance. They propose that the NAD+-dependent deacetylase SIRT1 exerts control over the circadian clock in adult neural stem cell function to limit exhaustion of their population. [Prog Neurobiol] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the neural cell research field. | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSAbCellera Biologics Inc. announced the successful completion of the first phase of its collaboration with Denali Therapeutics Inc.. Under the collaboration, AbCellera applied its single-cell screening technology to discover hundreds of novel monoclonal antibodies with specific binding properties against a genetically-validated target for neurodegenerative disease. [AbCellera Biologics Inc.] Press Release BridgeBio Pharma Launches CoA Therapeutics to Target Coenzyme-A for Rare Genetic Disorders BridgeBio Pharma announced the launch of CoA Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company developing novel small-molecules designed to increase coenzyme-A (CoA) levels in genetic disorders where CoA deficiency is implicated. CoA Therapeutics’ lead compound will be entering the clinic in 2019 with a planned initial focus on pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration, or PKAN. [BridgeBio Pharma (PR Newswire Assocation LLC.)] Press Release Update on Phase III Clinical Trials of Lanabecestat for Alzheimer’s Disease AstraZeneca and Eli Lilly and Company are discontinuing the global Phase III clinical trials of lanabecestat, an oral beta secretase cleaving enzyme inhibitor, for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. [AstraZeneca] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSSexual Harassment Is Rife in the Sciences, Finds Landmark US Study Sexual harassment is pervasive throughout academic science in the United States, driving talented researchers out of the field and harming others’ careers, finds a report from the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in Washington DC. The analysis concludes that policies to fight the problem are ineffective because they are set up to protect institutions, not victims — and that universities, funding agencies, scientific societies and other organizations must take stronger action. [Nature News] Editorial North American Universities Increasingly Cancel Publisher Packages Florida State University (FSU) will head into negotiations with the publisher Elsevier to see how it can resolve a pricing issue. Back in April, FSU announced that it would not renew a so-called “big deal” with Elsevier in 2019, due to its “high and ever-increasing cost,” and would instead subscribe to a subset of the most-needed journals. [The Scientist] Editorial
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