Neural Cell News Volume 12.25 | Jun 27 2018

TOP STORY

Locally Coordinated Synaptic Plasticity of Visual Cortex Neurons In Vivo

Scientists found that spike timing-induced receptive field plasticity of visual cortex neurons in mice is anchored by increases in the synaptic strength of identified spines. This was accompanied by a decrease in the strength of adjacent spines on a slower time scale. [Science] Abstract | Press Release

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Poly(GR) Impairs Protein Translation and Stress Granule Dynamics in C9orf72-Associated Frontotemporal Dementia and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

To investigate the contribution of poly(GR) dipeptide repeat proteins to c9FTD/ALS pathogenesis in a mammalian in vivo model, the authors generated mice that expressed GFP-(GR)₁₀₀ in the brain. [Nat Med] Abstract

Apoptotic Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Promote Malignancy of Glioblastoma via Intercellular Transfer of Splicing Factors

Researchers demonstrated that apoptotic glioblastoma cells paradoxically promote proliferation and therapy resistance of surviving tumor cells by secreting apoptotic extracellular vesicles enriched with various components of spliceosomes. [Cancer Cell] Abstract | Press Release | Graphical Abstract

hPSC Modeling Reveals that Fate Selection of Cortical Deep Projection Neurons Occurs in the Subplate

By modeling subplate formation with human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), scientists showed that all classes of cortical deep projection neurons (DPNs) can be specified from subplate neurons (SPNs). Post-mitotic WNT signaling regulated DPN class selection, and DPNs in the caudal fetal cortex appeared to exclusively derive from SPNs. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Press Release | Graphical Abstract

A 3D Human Triculture System Modeling Neurodegeneration and Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s Disease

The authors present a new 3D human Alzheimer’s disease (AD) triculture model using neurons, astrocytes, and microglia in a 3D microfluidic platform. Their model provided key representative AD features: beta-amyloid aggregation, phosphorylated tau accumulation, and neuroinflammatory activity. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract

Reducing Histone Acetylation Rescues Cognitive Deficits in a Mouse Model of Fragile X Syndrome

Investigators report that a loss of fragile X mental retardation protein results in increased protein synthesis of histone acetyltransferase EP300 and ubiquitination-mediated degradation of histone deacetylase HDAC1 in adult hippocampal neural stem cells [Nat Commun] Full Article

mTORC1 Accelerates Retinal Development via the Immunoproteasome

Researchers identified a role of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) in the development of neural tissue, showing that it accelerates progenitor cell cycle progression and neurogenesis in mTORC1-hyperactive tuberous sclerosis complex 1-deficient mouse retina. [Nat Commun] Full Article

ZNF281 Inhibits Neuronal Differentiation and Is a Prognostic Marker for Neuroblastoma

Investigators showed that the expression of ZNF281, a zinc finger factor involved in several cellular processes, decreases during terminal differentiation of murine cortical neurons and in retinoic acid-induced differentiation of neuroblastoma cells. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Full Article

TGF-β Determines the Pro-Migratory Potential of bFGF Signaling in Medulloblastoma

Researchers showed that bFGF promotes medulloblastoma tumor cell invasion through FGF (FGFR) receptor in vitro and that blockade of FGFR represses brain tissue infiltration in vivo. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Inhibition of Lysosome Membrane Recycling Causes Accumulation of Gangliosides that Contribute to Neurodegeneration

Scientists showed that spatacsin, which is required for lysosome recycling and whose loss of function leads to hereditary spastic paraplegia 11 (SPG11), promotes clearance of gangliosides from lysosomes in mouse and human SPG11 models. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Inhibition of Somatosensory Mechanotransduction by Annexin A6

Using a biotinylated form of NMB-1 in mass spectrometry analysis, researchers identified 67 binding proteins in sensory neurons and a sensory neuron-derived cell line, of which the top candidate was annexin A6, a membrane-associated calcium-binding protein. Annexin A6-deficient mice showed increased sensitivity to mechanical stimuli. [Sci Signal] Abstract

Sequential Application of Discrete Topographical Patterns Enhances Derivation of Functional Mesencephalic Dopaminergic Neurons from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Using human induced pluripotent stem cells, the authors applied topographical patterns sequentially during differentiation stages and examined their ability to influence derivation yield and functionality of regionalized subtype-specific dopaminergic neurons. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Nanoparticle Delivery of CRISPR into the Brain Rescues a Mouse Model of Fragile X Syndrome from Exaggerated Repetitive Behaviours

The authors demonstrated that intracranial injection of CRISPR-Gold, a nonviral delivery vehicle for the CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoprotein, can edit genes in the brains of adult mice in multiple mouse models. [Nat Biomed Eng] Abstract | Press Release

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Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Stroke: Implications of Stem Cell Therapy

The authors discuss how stem cells could be employed to protect neurons and mitochondria in stroke and also the various mechanisms involved in neuroprotection. [Transl Stroke Res] Abstract

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Aquinnah Pharmaceuticals Receives $3.4M Grant from NINDS to Advance New Therapies for ALS

Aquinnah Pharmaceuticals announced that it has been awarded $3.4 million from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) in a competing grant to advance novel therapeutic drug candidates towards the clinic for treating patients with ALS. [Aquinnah Pharmaceuticals] Press Release

Celgene Inks $60M Deal with Newcomer Skyhawk to Develop RNA Drugs for ALS, Huntington’s

Celgene is launching a $60 million collaboration with Skyhawk Therapeutics to develop and commercialize small molecules targeting RNA mis-splicing in neurological diseases. [Celgene (FierceBiotech)] Press Release

AARP Invests $60 Million to Fund Research for Cures to Dementia and Alzheimer’s

AARP’s Brain Health Fund is investing $60 million in the Dementia Discovery Fund, which invests in research and development of breakthrough treatments for dementia. [AARP] Press Release

FDA Approves First Drug Comprised of an Active Ingredient Derived from Marijuana to Treat Rare, Severe Forms of Epilepsy

The FDA approved Epidiolex oral solution for the treatment of seizures associated with two rare and severe forms of epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome, in patients two years of age and older. This is the first FDA-approved drug that contains a purified drug substance derived from marijuana. [The U.S. Food and Drug Administration] Press Release

$10-Million Gift Strengthens Mcgill’s Commitment to Brain Research, Young Researchers and Faster Results for Patients

A transformative gift of $10 million from the Irving Ludmer Family Foundation in support of the Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics & Mental Health will expand the center’s internationally renowned role in brain research and establish a Global Brain Consortium of leading research institutions. [McGill University] Press Release

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New Drug Approval Should Force the DEA to Rethink Cannabis-Derived Medicines

The Food and Drug Adminstration’s approval of Epidiolex, a medication derived from cannabis, could be life-changing for Americans suffering from certain types of epilepsy. It may also have far-reaching implications for U.S. marijuana policy. [STAT News] Editorial

BrainStorm Provides Update on “Right to Try” Policy

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. announced that after careful evaluation of the newly enacted “Right to Try” Act, it will not make NurOwn^® available under this legislation at this time. [BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release

Macchiarini Guilty of Misconduct, but Whistleblowers Share Blame, New Karolinska Institute Verdict Finds

The Karolinska Institute in Stockholm has finally, officially, found disgraced surgeon Paolo Macchiarini guilty of scientific misconduct. However, the verdict is a bitter pill for the four people who raised the alarm about Macchiarini’s fraud. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Worrying Changes in Hungary

The European country’s autocratic government has made a disturbing grab at the nation’s scientific institutions. [Nature News] Editorial

Senate Panel Proposes $2 Billion, 5.4% Increase for NIH

A U.S. Senate appropriations subcommittee approved a spending bill that calls for giving the National Institutes of Health (NIH) a $2 billion, 5.4% increase to $39.1 billion in the 2019 fiscal year that begins 1 October. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Gordon Research Conferences: Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology
July 1-6, 2018
Hong Kong, China

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NEW Postdoctoral Associate – Cerebral Organoids (Weill Cornell Medicine)

Research Associate – Neural Research (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Spinal Cord Development (The Francis Crick Institute)

Postdoctoral Positions – Neurodevelopmental Disorders (University of Copenhagen)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Psychiatric Disorders (Columbia University)

Project Leader/Director – Neurodegenerative Research (Servier Group)

Postdoctoral Fellows – Neuroscience (Louisiana State University)

Research Associate/Postdoctoral Position – Neurodegenerative Diseases (TU Dresden)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Glioma Genetics/Epigenetics (Heidelberg University)

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

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)

Multiple Faculty Positions – Neuroscience and Neuroengineering (Tsinghua University)

Faculty Members – Neuroscience (Mercer University)

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