Neural Cell News Volume 6.24 | Jun 20 2012

Segregation of Axonal and Somatic Activity during Fast Network Oscillations
The authors demonstrated that axo-axonic cells can separate axonal from somatic activity and maintain the functional polarization of cortical pyramidal cells during network oscillations. [Science] Abstract

Self-Formation of Optic Cups and Storable Stratified Neural Retina from Human ESCs
Researchers demonstrated that an optic cup structure can form by self-organization in human ESC culture. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Press Release

Distinct Molecular Pathways Mediate Glial Activation and Engulfment of Axonal Debris after Axotomy
Researchers identified new components of the glial engulfment machinery and showed that glial activation, phagocytosis of axonal debris and termination of responses to injury are genetically separable events mediated by distinct signaling pathways. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract

Activity-Dependent Growth of New Dendritic Spines Is Regulated by the Proteasome
Using pharmacological manipulations, glutamate uncaging, and two-photon imaging of GFP-transfected hippocampal pyramidal neurons, researchers demonstrated that acute inhibition of the proteasome blocks activity-induced dendritic spine outgrowth. [Neuron] Abstract 

Targeted Ablation of Oligodendrocytes Induces Axonal Pathology Independent of Overt Demyelination
To investigate the functional consequences of oligodendrocyte loss, researchers generated a transgenic mouse model of conditional oligodendrocyte ablation. In this model, oligodendrocytes are rendered selectively sensitive to exogenously administered diphtheria toxin by targeted expression of the diphtheria toxin receptor in oligodendrocytes. [J Neurosci] Abstract

Calpain 2 Activated through the NMDA Receptor Signaling Cleaves CPEB3 and Abrogates CPEB3-Repressed Translation in Neurons
This study showed that the repressor CPEB3 is degraded in NMDA-stimulated neurons, which is accompanied by the elevated expression of CPEB3’s target, EGFR, mostly at the translational level. [Mol Cell Biol] Abstract

Laminin Regulates Postnatal Oligodendrocyte Production by Promoting Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Survival in the Subventricular Zone
Researchers report that Lama2, the gene that encodes the laminin α2-subunit, regulates postnatal oligodendrogenesis. [Glia] Abstract

Gβ2 and Gβ4 Participate in the Opioid and Adrenergic Receptor-Mediated Ca2+ Channel Modulation in Rat Sympathetic Neurons
These studies suggest that in stellate ganglion neurons, Gβ2 and Gβ4 normally maintain the coupling of Ca2+ channels with the receptors, with the latter subtype responsible for maintaining the integrity of both pathways. [J Physiol] Abstract

Inhibition of Apoptosis Blocks Human Motor Neuron Cell Death in a Stem Cell Model of Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Researchers showed that induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines generated from two Type I spinal muscular atrophy subjects capitulate the disease phenotype and generate significantly fewer motor neurons at later developmental time periods in culture compared to two separate control subject iPSC lines. [PLoS One] Full Article | Press Release

Sixteenth Patient Dosed In Neuralstem ALS Stem Cell Trial
Neuralstem, Inc. announced that the first patient to receive stem cell transplantation in both regions of the spinal cord has been treated in the ongoing Phase I trial of its spinal cord neural stem cells in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This is also the 16th patient to be treated in the trial altogether and the first patient returning to the trial for a second treatment. [Neuralstem, Inc.] Press Release

Upsher-Smith Announces Transaction to Acquire UK-Based Proximagen
Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. announced that it has agreed to acquire Proximagen Group plc, a European biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of novel therapeutics for diseases of the central nervous system and inflammation. [Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc.] Press Release

Osiris Receives Second Approval for Life-Saving Stem Cell Drug; Prochymal Granted Marketing Consent by New Zealand
Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. announced it has received consent from New Zealand to market its first-in-class stem cell therapy Prochymal^® (remestemcel-L), for the treatment of acute graft-vs-host disease in children. With this decision New Zealand joins Canada, which last month became the world’s first internationally recognized regulatory authority to grant approval to a stem cell drug. [Osiris Therapeutics, Inc.]
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)

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

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

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

Research Associate – Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

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

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

Research Technologist – Media Development (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – GIGA-Neurosciences (University of Liège)

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

Postdoctoral Position – Neurophysiology (National Institute of Neuroscience)

Molecular Neurobiology Research Associate (University of British Columbia)

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