Neural Cell News Volume 13.37 | Sep 25 2019

TOP STORY

Glutamatergic Synaptic Input to Glioma Cells Drives Brain Tumor Progression

Researchers report a direct communication channel between neurons and glioma cells in different disease models and human tumours: functional bona fide chemical synapses between presynaptic neurons and postsynaptic glioma cells. [Nature] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Synaptic Proximity Enables NMDAR Signaling to Promote Brain Metastasis

Scientists showed that breast-to-brain metastasis cells co-opted a neuronal signaling pathway that was recently implicated in invasive tumor growth, involving activation by glutamate ligands of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), which was key in model systems for metastatic colonization of the brain and was associated with poor prognosis. [Nature] Abstract | Press Release | Editorial

Loss of SATB1 Induces p21-Dependent Cellular Senescence in Post-Mitotic Dopaminergic Neurons

The authors report that SATB1 prevented cellular senescence in post-mitotic dopaminergic neurons. Loss of SATB1 caused activation of a cellular senescence transcriptional program in dopamine neurons both in human stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons and in mice. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

CAR T Cells Targeting BAFF-R Can Overcome CD19 Antigen Loss in B Cell Malignancies

Four relapsed, primary acute lymphoblastic leukemias with CD19 antigen loss obtained after CD19-directed therapy retained B cell activating factor receptor (BAFF-R) expression and activated BAFF-R-chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), but not CD19-CAR, T cells. BAFF-R-CAR, but not CD19-CAR, T cells also demonstrated antitumor effects against an additional CD19 antigen loss primary patient-derived xenograft in vivo. [Sci Transl Med] Full Article

MHC Matching Fails to Prevent Long-Term Rejection of iPSC-Derived Neurons in Non-Human Primates

Matching induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) donors’ and patients’ HLA haplotypes has been proposed as a way to access cell therapy products with enhanced immunological compatibility, ultimately reducing the need for immunosuppression. The authors challenged this paradigm by grafting autologous, MHC-matched and mis-matched neuronal grafts in a primate model of Huntington’s disease. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Alterations in ALK/ROS1/NTRK/MET Drive a Group of Infantile Hemispheric Gliomas

Scientists report a comprehensive genetic analysis of an international cohort of clinically annotated infant gliomas, revealing three clinical subgroups. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Stimulation of T-Type Ca²⁺ Channels in Sensory Neurons Contributes to Increased Peripheral Pain Sensitivity

Researchers elucidated the effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on the neuronal excitability of trigeminal ganglion neurons and the pain sensitivity of rats mediated by T-type Ca²⁺ channels. BDNF reversibly and dose-dependently enhanced T-type channel currents through the activation of tropomyosin receptor kinase B. [Sci Signal] Abstract

OPA1 Overexpression Ameliorates Mitochondrial Cristae Remodeling, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, and Neuronal Apoptosis in Prion Diseases

Investigators observed downregulation of optic atrophy 1 (OPA1) in prion disease models in vitro and in vivo, mitochondria structure damage and dysfunction, loss of mtDNA, and neuronal apoptosis. Similar mitochondria findings were seen in OPA1-silenced un-infected primary neurons. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

The Splicing FK506-Binding Protein-51 Isoform Plays a Role in Glioblastoma Resistance through Programmed Cell Death Ligand-1 Expression Regulation

Scientists aimed to confirm the pro-tumoral effect of programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) on human glioma cell survival, stemness capacity and resistance, and to address the issue of whether, by targeting its foldase either chemically or by silencing, the aggressive tumor features could be attenuated. [Cell Death Discov] Full Article

Lineage Tracing and Cell Potential of Postnatal Single Progenitor Cells In Vivo

The authors demonstrated the existence of subventricular zone (SVZ) postnatal bipotential progenitors that gave rise to clones widely dispersed across the olfactory bulb and SVZ-adjacent areas. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Pathological Progression Induced by the Frontotemporal Dementia-Associated R406W Tau Mutation in Patient-Derived iPSCs

Scientists established patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models to investigate the disease pathology induced by the R406W mutation. They generated iPSCs from patients and established isogenic lines using CRISPR/Cas9. The iPSCs were induced into cerebral organoids, which were dissociated into cortical neurons with high purity. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

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Translating Neural Stem Cells to Neurons in the Mammalian Brain

Recent studies have shown that posttranscriptional mechanisms regulate the cell fate choices of transcriptionally primed neural precursors during cortical development. These mechanisms are mediated primarily by RNA-binding proteins and microRNAs that coordinately regulate mRNA translation, stability, splicing, and localization. [Cell Death Differ] Abstract

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Clene Nanomedicine, Inc. Announces Selection of CNM-Au8 for the Harvard Led HEALEY ALS Platform Trial, a Clinical Trial for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Clene Nanomedicine, Inc. announced that the Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Mass General has selected CNM-Au8 for inclusion in the first ever Platform Trial for the treatment of ALS. [Clene Nanomedicine, Inc. (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

Neuralstem Announces Last Subject Enrolled in Phase II Clinical Trial Evaluating Human Neural Stem Cells in Chronic Stroke Patients

Neuralstem, Inc. announced completion of subject enrollment in its Phase II clinical trial of NSI-566 for the treatment of chronic ischemic stroke. [Neuralstem, Inc.] Press Release

SanBio Granted Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy Designation from the US FDA for SB623 for the Treatment of Chronic Neurological Motor Deficits Secondary to Traumatic Brain Injury

The SanBio Group announced that the FDA has granted Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy Designation for SB623 cell therapy for the treatment of chronic neurological motor deficits secondary to traumatic brain injury. [The SanBio Group (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

Situation Improves Slightly for U Alaska, Major Changes Ahead

Funding cuts provoke concerns about job losses, canceled research programs, and closed departments. [The Scientist] Editorial

How US Sanctions Are Crippling Science in Iran

After almost a year of sanctions put in place by US President Donald Trump, Iran is experiencing economic recession, a depreciating currency and high inflation. All of this is stretching budgets for equipment, supplies and travel, endangering research projects and sapping morale, say researchers. [Nature News] Editorial

The Potent Effects of Japan’s Stem-Cell Policies

A five-year regulatory free-for-all in regenerative medicine has given the industry a boost. But patients might be paying the price. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Gene Regulation: From Mechanisms to Disease
January 26-30, 2020
Keystone, Colorado, United States

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NEW Faculty Positions – Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders (University of South Carolina)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Amyloid Filiments in Neurodegenerative Disease (MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology)

Assistant/Associate Professor – Pediatric Brain Tumors (Baylor College of Medicine)

Research Fellow – Neurodegenerative Disease (University College London)

Faculty Positions – Brain Disorders (IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research)

Postdoctoral Position – Neural Cell Research (New York Medical College)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Neural Research (Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)

Assistant Professor – Neurobiology (University of California, Berkeley)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Neural Stem Cell Research (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)

Associate Research Scientist – Brain Research (Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute)

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