Neural Cell News Volume 6.11 | Mar 21 2012

Wild-Type Microglia Arrest Pathology in a Mouse Model of Rett Syndrome
Researchers found that transplantation of wild-type bone marrow into irradiation-conditioned Mecp2-null hosts resulted in engraftment of brain parenchyma by bone-marrow-derived myeloid cells of microglial phenotype, and arrest of disease development. [Nature] Abstract | Press Release

Activation of Neuronal P2X7 Receptor-Pannexin-1 Mediates Death of Enteric Neurons during Colitis
Using in vivo models of experimental colitis researchers report that inflammation causes enteric neuron death by activating a neuronal signaling complex composed of P2X7 receptors, pannexin-1 channels, the Asc adaptor protein and caspases. [Nat Med] Abstract

Negative Regulation of Glial Engulfment Activity by Draper Terminates Glial Responses to Axon Injury
Researchers show that positive or negative regulation of glial responses to axon injury is molecularly encoded by unique isoforms of the Drosophila melanogaster engulfment receptor Draper. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract

Netrin (UNC-6) Mediates Dendritic Self-Avoidance
Investigators report the unexpected discovery that a diffusible cue, the axon guidance protein UNC-6, is required for self-avoidance of sister dendrites from the PVD nociceptive neuron in Caenorhabditis elegans. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract

Prokineticin 2 Is an Endangering Mediator of Cerebral Ischemic Injury
The role of prokineticin 2 (PK2) in neuropathology is unknown. Using primary cortical cultures, researchers found that PK2 mRNA is up-regulated by several pathological stressors, including hypoxia, reactive oxygen species, and excitotoxic glutamate. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Localization of a Toxic Form of Superoxide Dismutase 1 Protein to Pathologically Affected Tissues in Familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Researchers used a monoclonal antibody, C4F6, which specifically reacts with mutant and/or “misfolded” superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), to investigate the regional distribution of mutant SOD1 protein in rodent and human tissues. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Laminin/β1 Integrin Signal Triggers Axon Formation by Promoting Microtubule Assembly and Stabilization
Researchers show that extracellular matrix component laminin promotes neuronal polarization via regulating directional microtubule assembly through β1 integrin. [Cell Res] Abstract

Polo-Like Kinase 1 (PLK1) Inhibition Kills Glioblastoma Multiforme Brain Tumor Cells in Part Through Loss of SOX2 and Delays Tumor Progression in Mice
Researchers found that PLK1 level is elevated in glioblastoma multiforme and its inhibition restricts the growth of brain cancer cells. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Blood-Derived Human iPS Cells Generate Optic Vesicle-Like Structures with the Capacity to Form Retinal Laminae and Develop Synapses
T-lymphocyte-derived induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells (TiPSCs) generated abundant optic vesicle-like structures (OVs), which contained a near homogenous population of proliferating neuroretinal progenitor cells. Researchers also show that cultured TiPSC-OVs have the capacity to self-assemble into rudimentary neuroretinal structures and express markers indicative of chemical and electrical synapses. [Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci] Abstract | Press Release

Transient Activation of Specific Neurons in Mice by Selective Expression of the Capsaicin Receptor
Researchers show the rapid, reversible and direct activation of genetically identified neuronal subpopulations by generating two inducible transgenic mouse models. [Nat Commun] Abstract

Columbia and Weill Cornell Join National Effort to Spur Clinical Trials in the Neurosciences
The National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke has selected Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and Weill Cornell Medical College to participate in a new national effort to accelerate the development of therapies for people with neurological diseases. [Columbia University Medical Center] Press Release

Academia-Industry Project Secures $38.7 Million for Autism Spectrum Disorders
Funding of $38.7 million has been secured by a European research consortium led by Roche, King’s College London in the U.K., and Autism Speaks, which the participants claim is one of the largest ever academia-industry research projects focused on the identification and development of new treatments for autism spectrum disorders. [Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News] Press Release

Arch Awarded Funding from the Government of Canada to Develop Brain Tumor Targeting Technology
Arch Biopartners Inc. (Arch) announced that the National Research Council of Canada – Industrial Research Assistance Program has approved funding up to $107,000 to assist Arch in the development of diagnostic imaging applications for its brain tumor initiating cell targeting technology. [Arch Biopartners Inc.]
Press Release

Myelin Repair Foundation Research Fosters a Clinical Trial for Multiple Sclerosis
The Myelin Repair Foundation announced that its research might soon lead into a clinical proof-of-concept trial. This clinical trial will determine the safety and efficacy of a potential therapeutic pathway to desensitize the immune system to myelin in multiple sclerosis patients. [Myelin Repair Foundation] Press Release

SanBio Announces Enrollment of First Cohort of Patients in its Clinical Trial of Stem Cell Therapy for Chronic Stroke
SanBio Inc. announced the successful enrollment of the first dose cohort of patients in its Phase I/IIa clinical trial testing the safety and efficacy of a novel allogeneic stem cell therapy product, SB623, in patients suffering from chronic deficits resulting from previous stroke injuries. [SanBio Inc.] Press Release

Anatomy of Success: Genetic Research Develops Tools for Studying Diseases, Improving Regenerative Treatment
Research from a Kansas State University professor may make it easier to recover after spinal cord injury or to study neurological disorders. Mark Weiss’ research team has perfected a technique to use stem cells to study targeted genetic modifications. [Kansas State University] Press Release

National Institutes of Health (United States)

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

NEW International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) 10th Annual Meeting
June 13-16, 2012
Yokohama, Japan

NEW Stem Cells USA & Regenerative Medicine Congress
September 20-21, 2012
Boston, United States

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the neural cell community.

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Business Analyst – Product Management (STEMSOFT Software, Inc.)

Scientist – hPSC Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Antibody and Hybridoma Technology Platforms (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Visual Neuroscience (RIKEN Brain Science Institute)

Postdoctoral Position in Stem Cells – Department of Neuroscience (Karolinska Institutet)

Postdoctoral Position in Stem Cell Biology/Neuroscience/Cancer (The Jackson Laboratory)

Postdoctoral Fellow in Epigenetic Regulation of Neural Stem Cells (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

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