Neural Cell News Volume 14.15 | Apr 22 2020

TOP STORY

Region-Specific Transcriptional Control of Astrocyte Function Oversees Local Circuit Activities

Researchers showed that conditional deletion of the transcription factor nuclear factor I-A in astrocytes in the adult brain resulted in region-specific alterations in morphology and physiology that were mediated by selective DNA binding. [Neuron] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Redefining the Heterogeneity of Peripheral Nerve Cells in Health and Autoimmunity

Scientists present a transcriptional map of peripheral nerve cells in health and autoimmunity. Identified marker genes of nonmyelinating Schwann cells and nerve-associated fibroblasts will facilitate a better understanding of the complex cellular architecture of peripheral nerves. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Full Article

Loss of the Neural-Specific BAF Subunit ACTL6B Relieves Repression of Early Response Genes and Causes Recessive Autism

Patient mutations destabilized ACTL6B protein in neurons and re-routed dendrites to the wrong glomerulus in the fly olfactory system [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Full Article

Imbalance of Excitatory/Inhibitory Neuron Differentiation in Neurodevelopmental Disorders with an NR2F1 Point Mutation

Mutant human embryonic stem cell lines overproduced ventral telencephalic neuron progenitors (ventral NPCs) and underproduced dorsal NPCs, causing the imbalance of excitatory/inhibitory neurons. These alterations could be mainly attributed to the aberrantly activated Hedgehog signaling pathway. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

IL-33-PU.1 Transcriptome Reprogramming Drives Functional State Transition and Clearance Activity of Microglia in Alzheimer’s Disease

The authors showed that injection of interleukin (IL)-33 in an Alzheimer’s disease transgenic mouse model ameliorated beta-amyloid pathology by reprogramming microglial epigenetic and transcriptomic profiles to induce a microglial subpopulation with enhanced phagocytic activity. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

VMHvl-Projecting Vglut1+ Neurons in the Posterior Amygdala Gate Territorial Aggression

Investigators identified a small population of excitatory neurons located in the posterior amygdala that projected to the ventrolateral division of ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, a region that critically regulated territorial aggression. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

LncRNA MIR4435-2HG Potentiates the Proliferation and Invasion of Glioblastoma Cells via Modulating miR-1224-5p/TGFBR2 Axis

In vitro cell studies and in vivo animal studies showed that knockdown of MIR4435-2HG resulted in the inhibition of glioblastoma (GBM) cell proliferation and invasion and in vivo tumor growth, while MIR4435-2HG overexpression drove GBM progression. [J Cell Mol Med] Full Article

RGS16 Promotes Glioma Progression and Serves as a Prognostic Factor

Biological implication of abnormal expression of RGS16 in glioma was explored. Functional analysis of RGS16 was performed in several glioblastoma cell lines. [CNS Neurosci Ther] Full Article

Physiological Concentration of H₂O₂ Supports Dopamine Neuronal Survival via Activation of Nrf2 Signaling in Glial Cells

H₂O₂ were added into primary neuron-glia, neuron-astroglia and neuron-microglia co-cultures in concentration- and time-dependent manners. H₂O₂ increased dopamine neuronal survival in concentration- and time-dependent manners. [Cell Mol Neurobiol] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Bilobalide Assuages Morphine-Induced Addiction in Hippocampal Neuron Cells through Upregulation of microRNA-101

Cells were treated with or without morphine or oxaliplatin, bilobalide, or SCH772984 dilutions. miR-101 inhibitor and negative control were transfected into cells. [J Biochem Mol Toxicol] Abstract

NUSAP1 Potentiates Chemoresistance in Glioblastoma through Its SAP Domain to Stabilize ATR

NUSAP1 was highly expressed in glioblastoma (GBM) patients, dead patients, and GBM cells. NUSAP1 was found to participate in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and DNA damage in GBM cells. [Signal Transduct Target Ther] Full Article

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An Update on Blood-Based Biomarkers for Non-Alzheimer Neurodegenerative Disorders

Scientists outline the neuropathological, clinical, molecular imaging and cerebrospinal fluid features of the most common neurodegenerative disorders outside the Alzheimer disease continuum. [Nat Rev Neurol] Abstract

Organoid Models of Glioblastoma to Study Brain Tumor Stem Cells

The author describes the emerging 3D models of glioblastoma and discusses their potential to advance our knowledge of tumor biology and cancer stem cell heterogeneity, while debating their current limitations. [Front Cell Dev Biol] Full Article

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First Patient Treated with Leronlimab in Phase IIb/III Trial for COVID-19

CytoDyn Inc. announced the treatment of the first patient with leronlimab in its Phase IIb/III trial for severe and critical COVID-19 indications. [CytoDyn, Inc.] Press Release

MediciNova Receives Notice of Allowance for Second Patent Covering MN-166 (Ibudilast) for the Treatment of Glioblastoma

MediciNova, Inc. announced that it has received a Notice of Allowance from the US Patent and Trademark Office for a pending patent application which covers MN-166 for the treatment of glioblastoma. [MediciNova, Inc.] Press Release

Untapped Potential: More US Labs Could Be Providing Tests for Coronavirus

A survey of more than 4,000 researchers in the United States suggests that better coordination at an institutional and national level could make hundreds of thousands more tests for coronavirus available. [Nature News] Editorial

Director of US Agency Key to Vaccine Development Leaves Role Suddenly Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

Rick Bright, one of the nation’s leading vaccine development experts and the director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, is no longer leading the organization. [STAT News] Editorial

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NEW Professorship – Molecular Neuropathology (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München)

NEW Researcher Position – Transcriptional Activity in Brain Diseases (Italian Institute of Technology)

Postdoctoral Position – Brain and Disease Research (Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Neurogenerative Disease (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Program – Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease Research (Huntington Medical Research Institutes)

Scientist – Oligonucleotide Therapies for Neurological Disorders (Deep Genomics Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Neuroimmunology (LMU University Hospital Munich)

Postdoctoral Position – iPSC Models in Neurodegeneration (Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)

Assistant Professor – Department of Neuroscience (Univeristy of Padua Department of Neusciences)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Developmental Neuroscience (Children’s National Hospital)

Research Assistant – Cerebral Organoids (Weill Cornell Medicine College)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Neuroscience Research (University of North Carolina at Charlotte)

Associate Professor – Visual Neuroscience (Dalhousie University)

Postdoctoral Associate – Neuron Diversity Mechanisms in Brain Development (Howard Hughes Medical Institute)

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

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