Neural Cell News Volume 6.40 | Oct 10 2012

OLM Interneurons Differentially Modulate CA3 and Entorhinal Inputs to Hippocampal CA1 Neurons
By combining transgenic mice and optogenetic tools, researchers found that oriens lacunosum-moleculare (OLM) cells are important for gating the information flow in CA1, facilitating the transmission of intrahippocampal information from CA3 while reducing the influence of extrahippocampal inputs from the entorhinal cortex. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract

Progranulin Deficiency Promotes Neuroinflammation and Neuron Loss following Toxin-Induced Injury
Scientists showed that loss of progranulin results in increased neuron loss in response to injury in the CNS. [J Clin Invest] Full Article

Transposon Mutagenesis Identifies Genes that Transform Neural Stem Cells into Glioma-Initiating Cells
Using a unique transposon mutagenesis strategy that mutagenizes neural stem cells (NSCs) in culture, followed by additional rounds of mutagenesis to generate tumors in vivo, researchers have identified genes and signaling pathways that can transform NSCs into glioma-initiating cells. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Promoting Engraftment of Transplanted Neural Stem Cells/Progenitors Using Biofunctionalized Electrospun Scaffolds
Investigators examined the capacity of fibrous poly ε-caprolactone scaffolds, biofunctionalized with immobilized glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor, to influence primary cortical neural stem cells/progenitors in vitro and enhance integration of these cells following transplantation into the brain parenchyma. [Biomaterials] Abstract

NFIX Regulates Neural Progenitor Cell Differentiation during Hippocampal Morphogenesis
The authors demonstrated that nuclear factor one X (NFIX) is expressed by neural progenitor cells within the embryonic hippocampus, and that progenitor cell differentiation is delayed within Nfix^−/− mice. [Cereb Cortex] Abstract

Inhibition of Glioma Cell Lysosome Exocytosis Inhibits Glioma Invasion
Researchers studied the effects of the selective lysosome lysing drug glycyl-L-phenylalanine-ß- naphthylamide and the lysosome exocytosis inhibitor vacuolin-1 on lysosome exocytosis to determine their effect on glioma cell migration and invasion. [PLoS One] Full Article

Activation of the P2X7 Receptor Induces Migration of Glial Cells by Inducing Cathepsin B Degradation of Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase 1
Scientists showed that adenosine triphosphate-treated glial cultures from neonatal C57BL/6 mice release and increase matrix metalloproteinase 9 activity which is coupled with a decrease in release of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase 1 and an increase in activated cathepsin B within the extracellular space. [J Neurochem] Abstract

DNA Demethylation Regulates the Expression of miR-210 in Neural Progenitor Cells Subjected to Hypoxia
Researchers report that the expression of microRNA (miR)-210 was highly induced in neural progenitor cells (NPCs) subjected to hypoxia. Specifically, treating hypoxic NPCs with the DNA demethylating agent 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine significantly increased the expression of miR-210, even under normoxia; however, the activity of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 was unaffected. [FEBS J] Abstract

Characterization of Immature and Mature 5-Hydroxytryptamine 3A Receptor-Expressing Cells within the Adult SVZ-RMS-OB System
The authors showed that GFP-expressing cells in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and rostral migratory stream (RMS) of the 5HT3aR-BAC^EGFP transgenic mouse exclusively express transcription factor Sp8 which is expressed in lateral ganglionic embryonic eminence and postnatal SVZ. [Neuroscience] Abstract

Serotonin in the Modulation of Neural Plasticity and Networks: Implications for Neurodevelopmental Disorders
This review discusses emerging concepts as to how defects in synaptic plasticity impact our biosocial brain and how recent findings regarding serotonin’s role in brain development and function provide insight into the cellular and physiological basis of neurodevelopmental disorders. [Neuron] Abstract

The Role of Nuclear Receptors in Controlling the Fine Balance between Proliferation and Differentiation of Neural Stem Cells
Investigators summarize recent progress in the role of nuclear receptors in the biology of neural stem/progenitor cells. These studies highlight the importance of transcriptional regulators in central nervous system development and function in health and disease. [Arch Biochem Biophys] Abstract

Threshold Pharmaceuticals Announces Preliminary Data from Phase I/II Study of TH-302 in Combination with Bevacizumab in Patients with Recurrent Glioblastoma
Threshold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced preliminary data from an ongoing dose-escalation phase I/II clinical trial of its investigational hypoxia-targeted drug TH-302 in combination with bevacizumab in patients with recurrent glioblastoma. [Press release from Threshold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. discussing data presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2012, Vienna] Press Release

Lilly Announces Detailed Results of the Phase III Solanezumab EXPEDITION Studies following a Presentation of the Independent Analyses by the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study
Eli Lilly and Company announced its detailed results for the phase III, double-blind, placebo-controlled EXPEDITION studies in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease. [Press release from Eli Lilly and Company discussing data presented at the American Neurological Association (ANA), Boston]
Press Release

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2012: Sir John B. Gurdon, Shinya Yamanaka
Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet has decided to award The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2012 jointly to John B. Gurdon and Shinya Yamanaka for the discovery that mature cells can be reprogrammed to become pluripotent. [Nobel Media AB] Press Release

ImaginAb and Lundbeck to Collaborate in Neurodegeneration
ImaginAb, Inc. announced that it has entered into a collaboration and commercialization agreement with H. Lundbeck A/S. ImaginAb and Lundbeck will collaborate around a novel central nervous system target in order to explore the use of re-engineered antibodies to accelerate the blood-brain barrier transport of biologics. [ImaginAb, Inc.] Press Release

Quebec Government Recognizes Neuroscience Partnership
McGill-Oxford neuroscience collaboration wins the McCarthy Tétrault Award of Excellence for Partnership from the Quebec Government Office in London. [McGill University] Press Release

Investigational Drugs Chosen for Major Alzheimer’s Prevention Trial
Leading scientists have selected the first drugs to be evaluated in a worldwide clinical study to determine whether they can prevent Alzheimer’s disease. The pioneering trial initially will test three promising drugs, each designed to target Alzheimer’s in different ways. [Washington University in St. Louis] Press Release

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