Neural Cell News Volume 6.20 | May 23 2012

Apolipoprotein E Controls Cerebrovascular Integrity via Cyclophilin A
Data suggest that cyclophilin A is a key target for treating apolipoprotein E4-mediated neurovascular injury and the resulting neuronal dysfunction and degeneration. Abstract | Press Release

Distinct Neural Stem Cell Populations Give Rise to Disparate Brain Tumors in Response to N-MYC
To clarify how developmental and regional differences influence transformation, researchers transduced wild-type or mutationally stabilized murine N-myc^T58A into neural stem cells from perinatal murine cerebellum, brain stem, and forebrain. [Cancer Cell] Abstract

An Unconventional Role for miRNA: let-7 Activates Toll-Like Receptor 7 and Causes Neurodegeneration
This study suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) can function as signaling molecules and identifies Toll-like receptor 7 as an essential element in a pathway that contributes to the spread of central nervous system damage. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract

Hepatocyte Growth Factor Mediates Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Induced Recovery in Multiple Sclerosis Models
Researchers demonstrated that conditioned medium from human mesenchymal stem cells reduces functional deficits in mouse MOG_35-55-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and promotes the development of oligodendrocytes and neurons. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract

A Dual Function of Bcl11b/Ctip2 in Hippocampal Neurogenesis
The authors report that Bcl11b/Ctip2, a zinc finger transcription factor expressed in postmitotic neurons, plays a critical role during postnatal development of the dentate gyrus. [EMBO J] Full Article

Intracerebral Chondroitinase ABC and Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycan Glypican Improve Outcome from Chronic Stroke in Rats
Glypican and chondroitinase ABC reduced glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity and increased microtubule-associated protein-2 immunoreactivity in the periinfarct region, and glypican- and chondroitinase ABC-treated rats showed behavioral improvement compared with neurocan- or saline-treated rats. Glypican and chondroitinase ABC also increased neurite extension in cortical neuron cultures. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release

Full-Length Axon Regeneration in the Adult Mouse Optic Nerve and Partial Recovery of Simple Visual Behaviors
Researchers showed that, with adequate stimulation, retinal ganglion cells are able to regenerate axons the full length of the visual pathway and on into the lateral geniculate nucleus, superior colliculus, and other visual centers. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release

Maladaptive Dendritic Spine Remodeling Contributes to Diabetic Neuropathic Pain
To determine whether dendritic spine remodeling contributes to neuropathic pain in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, researchers analyzed dendritic spine morphology and electrophysiological and behavioral signs of neuropathic pain. [J Neurosci] Abstract | Press Release

Conjugation of Functionalized SPIONs with Transferrin for Targeting and Imaging Brain Glial Tumors in Rat Model
This study investigated the preparation and characterization of a targeted MR contrast agent, transferrin-conjugated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) for brain glioma detection. [PLoS One]
Full Article

World’s First Approved Stem Cell Drug; Osiris Receives Marketing Clearance from Health Canada for Prochymal
Osiris Therapeutics Inc. announced that it has received market authorization from Health Canada to market its stem cell therapy Prochymal^® (remestemcel-L) for the treatment of acute graft-vs-host disease in children. [Osiris Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

New Trials for Treating Alzheimer’s Disease
Researchers at the Comprehensive Alzheimer’s Program at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have announced two new clinical trials for patients with either mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease and one trial for mild cognitive impairment. [University of California] Press Release

Intellect Neurosciences Expands Its Immunotherapy Pipeline with New Technology Platforms Targeting Pathogenic Protein Aggregates Focused on Huntington’s and Parkinson’s Diseases
Intellect Neurosciences, Inc. announced it has filed three new patent applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, which expand the Company’s immunotherapy pipeline. [Intellect Neurosciences, Inc.] Press Release

UTHealth Neurologist Sean I. Savitz, M.D., Honored for Stroke Work
Sean I. Savitz, M.D. recently received the Molly and Bernard Sanberg Memorial Award from the American Society of Neural Therapy and Repair. [The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT Health)] Press Release

Request for Information (RFI): The National Database for Autism Research Challenge (NOT-MH-12-027) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

Change in NINDS Salary Caps for the K02, K08 and K23 Career Development Awards (NOT-NS-12-018) [National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, United States]

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 Optogenetics and Pharmacogenetics in Neuronal Function and Dysfunction: 7th Brain Research Conference
October 11-12, 2012
New Orleans, United States

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

Scientist – Endothelial Cells (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

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

Scientist – Epithelial Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Mesenchymal Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

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

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

Research Associate – Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Associate – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Contract Assay Services (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – GIGA-Neurosciences (University of Liège)

Postdoctoral Position – Spinal Cord Neural Stem Cells (Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier)

Assistant Professor – Neurology (Department of Neurology at Columbia University and the New York Presbyterian Hospital)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 50,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

Have we missed an important article or publication in Neural Cell News? Click here to submit!

Comments or Suggestions? Email info@connexoncreative.com with your feedback.