Neural Cell News Volume 6.26 | Jul 4 2012

The RacGAP β2-Chimaerin Selectively Mediates Axonal Pruning in the Hippocampus
The chemorepellent Sema3F is required for infrapyramidal tract (IPT) axon pruning, dendritic spine remodeling, and repulsion of dentate gyrus axons. The signaling events that regulate IPT axon pruning are not known. The authors found that inhibition of the small G protein Rac1 by the Rac GTPase-activating protein (GAP) β2-Chimaerin mediates Sema3F-dependent pruning. [Cell] Abstract

Fibroblast Growth Factor 13 Is a Microtubule-Stabilizing Protein Regulating Neuronal Polarization and Migration
Researchers showed that fibroblast growth factor 13 acts intracellularly as a microtubule-stabilizing protein required for axon and leading process development and neuronal migration in the cerebral cortex. [Cell] Abstract

Regional Astrocyte Allocation Regulates CNS Synaptogenesis and Repair
Researchers showed that astrocytes are allocated to spatial domains in murine spinal cord and brain in accordance with their embryonic sites of origin in the ventricular zone. These domains remain stable throughout life without evidence of secondary tangential migration, even after acute central nervous system (CNS) injury. [Science] Abstract

Carbon Nanotube Rope with Electrical Stimulation Promotes the Differentiation and Maturity of Neural Stem Cells
Researchers found that an electroconductive carbon nanotube (CNT) rope substrate along with electrical stimulation may have a synergistic effect on promoting neurite elongation and boosting effects on the differentiation of neural stem cells into mature neuronal cells for therapeutic application in neural regeneration. [Small] Abstract

Spreading of Neurodegenerative Pathology via Neuron-to-Neuron Transmission of β-Amyloid
The results of this study support that intracellular β-amyloid (Aβ) oligomers play a role in neurodegeneration, and they explain the manner in which Aβ can drive Alzheimer’s disease progression, even if the extracellular plaque load is poorly correlated with the degree of cognitive decline. [J Neurosci]
Full Article | Press Release

Purinergic Signaling Promotes Proliferation of Adult Mouse Subventricular Zone Cells
Scientists found that ATP infusion into the lateral ventricle of the mouse brain resulted in an increase in the numbers of rapidly dividing cells and Mash1-positive transit-amplifying cells in the subventricular zone. [J Neurosci] Abstract

Simulated GABA Synaptic Input and L-Type Calcium Channels Form Functional Microdomains in Hypothalamic Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neurons
Researchers observed that gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) dendrites adopt an integration strategy whereby segments of single nonbranching GnRH dendrites create functional microdomains and thus serve as units of integration. [J Neurosci] Abstract

GBM Secretome Induces Transient Transformation of Human Neural Precursor Cells
Researchers concluded that glioblastoma (GBM)-secreted factors are capable of transiently altering normal neural precursor cells, although for retention of the transformed phenotype, sustained or prolonged secretome exposure or additional transformation events are likely necessary. [J Neurooncol] Abstract

Evaluation of ES-Derived Neural Progenitors as a Potential Source for Cell Replacement Therapy in the Gut
Researchers reported that gut explants can induce neuronal differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells in vitro and induce the expression of nNOS, a key molecule in gastrointestinal motility regulation. The inability of neurospheres generated from mouse ES cells (ES-NS) to adopt a neuronal phenotype after transplantation in the gastrointestinal tract is suggestive of the presence of local inhibitory influences that prevents ES-NS differentiation in vivo. [BMC Gastroentrol] Abstract | Full Article

ImmunoCellular Provides Update on Phase II Clinical Trial of ICT-107 for Treatment of Glioblastoma
ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd. announced that it will expand its current Phase IIb trial of ICT-107 from 102 to up to 123 patients with glioblastoma multiforme and who are HLA-A1/A2 positive. [Business Wire]
Press Release

Dramatic Change in Patient with ALS and MG following Compassionate Use of BrainStorm’s Nurown™ Cell Therapy
A patient suffering from Myasthenia Gravis and recently diagnosed with ALS reported that he has experienced visible improvement in his speech, walking, balance, posture, muscle strength, appetite, digestion, and weight gain following compassionate treatment with BrainStorm’s NurOwn cell therapy. [BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release

The World’s Largest Open Access Journal, PLoS ONE, Has Teamed Up with One of the Fastest Growing Multidisciplinary Medical Associations, SMBT, to Better Educate Physicians, Scientists, Engineers and Policy Makers on Key Cross-Disciplinary Scientific Advances
The Society for Brain Mapping & Therapeutics (SBMT) will launch a new Collection with PLoS ONE called: The NeuroMapping & Therapeutics Collection. [PR Newswire] Press Release

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