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Pulmonary Cell News| Neural Cell News 13.17 May 8, 2019 | |
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TOP STORYSingle-Cell Transcriptomic Analysis of Alzheimer’s Disease Scientists profiled and analyzed 80,660 single-nucleus transcriptomes from prefrontal cortex of 48 individuals with varying degrees of Alzheimer’s disease pathology. They identified transcriptionally-distinct subpopulations across six major brain cell-types, including those associated with pathology and characterized by regulators of myelination, inflammation, and neuron survival. [Nature] Abstract | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)Human 3D Cellular Model of Hypoxic Brain Injury of Prematurity Researchers used human 3D brain-region-specific organoids to study the effect of oxygen deprivation on corticogenesis. They identified specific defects in intermediate progenitors, a cortical cell type associated with the expansion of the human cerebral cortex, and showed that these are related to the unfolded protein response and changes. [Nat Med] Abstract Acyl-CoA-Binding Protein Drives Glioblastoma Tumorigenesis by Sustaining Fatty Acid Oxidation The authors showed that the neural stem cell pro-proliferative factor acyl-CoA-binding protein was highly expressed in glioblastoma, and by binding to acyl-CoAs, it cell-autonomously maintained high proliferation rates, promoting tumor growth and poor survival in several preclinical models. [Cell Metab] Abstract | Graphical Abstract The Hippo Pathway Blocks Mammalian Retinal Müller Glial Cell Reprogramming Müller glial cell (MG)-specific deletion of Hippo pathway components Lats1 and Lats2, as well as transgenic expression of a Hippo non-responsive form of YAP, resulted in dramatic cyclin D1 upregulation, loss of adult MG identity, and attainment of a highly proliferative, progenitor-like cellular state. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Press Release | Graphical Abstract Linking YAP to Müller Glia Quiescence Exit in the Degenerative Retina Scientists investigated the involvement of the Hippo pathway effector Yes-associated protein (YAP), which is upregulated in Müller cells following retinal injury. Conditional Yap deletion in mouse Müller cells prevented cell-cycle gene upregulation that normally accompanies reactive gliosis upon photoreceptor cell death. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract WNT/NOTCH Pathway Is Essential for the Maintenance and Expansion of Human MGE Progenitors Ablation of CTNNB1 in medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) cells led to precocious cell-cycle exit and advanced neuronal differentiation. Activation of WNT signaling through genetic or chemical approach was sufficient to maintain MGE cells in an expandable manner with authentic neuronal differentiation potencies through activation of endogenous NOTCH signaling. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract Researchers analyzed the role of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the different stages of neurogenesis initiated in the subventricular zone over time after stroke in mice. Wildtype and TLR4-deficient mice underwent experimental ischemia, and neural stem/progenitor cells proliferation and migration were analyzed by using FACS analysis, fluorescence densitometry, RT-qPCR and in vitro assays. [Brain Behav Immun] Abstract Flavonoid treatment of rat C6 glioma cells induced inhibition of proliferation and migration, and also induced microglia chemotaxis that was associated to the up regulation of tumor necrosis factor and the down regulation of Interleukin 10 at protein and mRNA expression levels, regulation of mRNA expression for chemokines CCL2, CCL5 and CX3CL1, and heparin binding growth factor, insulin-like growth factor and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor growth factors. [Brain Behav Immun] Abstract GPR124 Regulates Microtubule Assembly, Mitotic Progression, and Glioblastoma Cell Proliferation Scientists discovered that GPR124 interacted with ch-TOG, a known regulator of both microtubule (MT)-plus-end assembly and mitotic progression. Accordingly, changes in GPR124 expression and ch-TOG similarly affected MT assembly measured by real-time microscopy in cells. [Glia] Abstract Investigators defined the mechanism by which LRRK2-G2019S (LRRK2-GS), a pathogenic mutation in the Parkinson’s disease-associated gene LRRK2, accelerates endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and cell death. Treatment of cells with α-synuclein increased the expression of ER stress proteins and subsequent cell death in LRRK2-GS astrocytes. [Acta Neuropathol Commun] Full Article Subscribe to one of our other 19 science newsletters such as Cancer Stem Cell News & ESC & iPSC News. | |
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REVIEWSAdult Neurogenesis, Glia, and the Extracellular Matrix The authors discuss how the functional consequences of new neurons arise from the collective interactions of presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons, glial cells, and the extracellular matrix, which together form the “tetrapartite synapse.” [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract A Roadmap to Integrate Astrocytes into Systems Neuroscience Investigators review systems-like studies that include astrocytes in order to identify computational operations that these cells may perform, using Ca2+ transients as their encoding language. [Glia] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the neural cell research field. | |
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SCIENCE NEWSNeurocrine Biosciences, Inc. and Voyager Therapeutics, Inc. announced Phase I trial results for VY-AADC from eight patients with Parkinson’s disease who participated in the open-label trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of VY-AADC and to further assess the posterior surgical delivery approach. [Press release from Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. discussing research presented at the 2019 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting, Philadelphia] Press Release Novartis announced a new analysis of the Phase III EXPAND study, demonstrating that treatment with Mayzent® had a clinically meaningful positive impact on cognitive processing speed in patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, an important element in cognitive function. [Press release from Novartis AG discussing research presented at the 2019 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting, Philadelphia] Press Release Roche announced new OCREVUS® data in relapsing and primary progressive multiple sclerosis were presented. [Press release from F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd discussing research presented at the 2019 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting, Philadelphia] Press Release Data Demonstrate Biogen’s Leadership and Commitment to Innovation in MS Biogen Inc. presented new data illustrating its ongoing commitment to improving care for people living with multiple sclerosis (MS). Data support the well-established therapies within Biogen’s leading MS portfolio, TECFIDERA® and TYSABRI®. [Press release from Biogen Inc. discussing research presented at the 2019 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting, Philadelphia] Press Release uniQure Announces Featured Presentations of New Data on Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 uniQure N.V. presented preclinical data on its gene therapy candidate, AMT-150, for the treatment of spinocerebellar ataxia 3. uniQure’s AMT-150 incorporates the company’s proprietary miQURE™ gene silencing technology and comprises an AAV5 vector to deliver a microRNA that is designed to halt ataxia in early manifest SCA3 patients. [Press release from uniQure N.V. discussing research presented at the 2019 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting, Philadelphia] Press Release Adamas Announces Data Presentations Adamas Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that posters regarding GOCOVRI™ extended release capsules for the treatment of dyskinesia in patients with Parkinson’s disease receiving levodopa-based therapy, with or without concomitant dopaminergic medications, and ADS-5102 extended release capsules for walking impairment in patients with multiple sclerosis will be presented. [Press release from Adamas Pharmaceuticals, Inc. discussing research to be presented at the 2019 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting, Philadelphia] Press Release Genentech announced new data from the dose-finding Part 1 of the pivotal FIREFISH trial showing infants with Type 1 spinal muscular atrophy achieved key motor milestones after one year of treatment with investigational risdiplam. [Press release from Genentech, Inc. discussing research presented at the 2019 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting, Philadelphia] Press Release Celgene Corporation announced the results of a post-hoc analysis of data from the Phase III RADIANCE™ Part B trial showing that ozanimod reduced cortical grey matter volume loss versus first-line treatment, Avonex®, in adults with relapsing multiple sclerosis across all age groups, including patients ages 18 to 25. [Press release from Celgene Corporation discussing research to be presented at the 2019 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting, Philadelphia] Press Release Initial Data for Alterity Therapeutics Phase I Clinical Trial Released Alterity Therapeutics Limited released interim clinical data of its Phase I clinical trial program for its investigative drug PBT434. PBT434 is the first of a new generation of small molecules designed to block the accumulation and aggregation of α-synuclein. [Press release from Alterity Therapeutics Limited discussing research presented at the 2019 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting, Philadelphia] Press Release DelMar Presents Data Supporting VAL-083 as Potential Treatment for Pediatric Brain Tumors DelMar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. presented data supporting dianhydrogalactitol (VAL-083) as a potential therapy for pediatric brain tumors. [Press release from DelMar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. discussing research presented at the Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO) Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Basic and Translational Research Conference, San Francisco] Press Release | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSTmunity Therapeutics, Inc. announced it has entered into an exclusive licensing and research collaboration with the University of California (UC) San Francisco aimed at advancing novel engineered T cell receptor (TCR) therapies for rare and currently incurable pediatric conditions with high mortality rates. Initially, research will focus on diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, a rare and highly aggressive brain stem tumor. [Tmunity Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release Rett Syndrome Association of Australia and Anavex Life Sciences Corp. announced the approval by the Australian Human Research Ethics Committee to initiate an approximately 30 patient Phase II double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, study of ANAVEX®2-73 for the treatment of Rett syndrome. [Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (GlobeNewswire, Inc.)] Press Release Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced positive results of its study to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of RYANODEX® secondary to nerve agent exposure, conducted with the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense. [Eagle Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release Alector Announces First Alzheimer’s Disease Patient Dosed in Phase Ib Study of AL002 Alector, Inc. announced dosing of the first Alzheimer’s disease patient in the Phase Ib portion of the INVOKE clinical study of AL002. AL002 is a monoclonal antibody that enhances the activity of TREM2 and is being developed by Alector for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease in collaboration with its partner AbbVie. [Alector, Inc.] Press Release Neuropore Therapies, Inc. announced that it has initiated a Phase I clinical trial in healthy volunteers with NPT520-34. This Phase I study is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of NPT520-34. NPT520-34 is an orally bioavailable, blood-brain barrier penetrating small molecule. [Neuropore Therapies, Inc.] Press Release Neuronascent Inc. announced that the FDA has cleared the company’s Investigational New Drug (IND) application for its proprietary oral therapeutic, NNI-362, to proceed into Phase I clinical testing in a healthy aged population. [Neuronascent Inc.] Press Release CytRx Corporation Highlights Patent Issued for Use of Aldoxorubicin in the Treatment of Brain Cancer CytRx Corporation highlighted that it has been issued a patent from the US Patent and Trademark Office covering the use of aldoxorubicin intravenously, intra-arterially or intramuscularly for the treatment of brain cancer, which patent was exclusively licensed by CytRx to NantCell, Inc. in July 2017. [CytRx Corporation] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSWhite House to Convene Committee to Address Research Obstacles The leaders of the White House Office of Science and Technology, National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the Department of Energy’s science division have formed a committee “to address issues facing the US research community,” President Donald Trump’s administration announced. [The Scientist] Editorial German Research Promised a Decade of Budget Increases German research organizations cheered a decision announced by state and federal ministers to increase research budgets by 3% a year for the next decade—a total boost of €17 billion over that time. [ScienceInsider] Editorial
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EVENTSNEW Gordon Research Conference: Inhibition in the CNS Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Ion Channel & Neuroscience Research (Johns Hopkins University) Postdoctoral Positions – Astrocyte Research (Washington University in St.Louis) Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Systems Neuroscience (University of Oxford) Postdoctoral Researcher – Neurobiological Mechanisms (Columbia University) Postdoctoral Position – Retinal Stem Cell Biology (Johns Hopkins University) Postdoctoral Fellow – Alcohol & Adult Neurogenesis (The University of Texas at Austin) Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Neuroscience (The University of Texas at Austin) Postdoctoral Researcher – Neurobiology (University of Rochester) Staff Scientist – Molecular & Behavioral Neuroscience (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center) Postdoctoral Research Associate – Neurological Diseases (University of Utah) Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.
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