Neural Cell News Volume 7.31 | Aug 7 2013

Fibronectin Expression in Glioblastomas Promotes Cell Cohesion, Collective Invasion of Basement Membrane In Vitro and Orthotopic Tumor Growth in Mice
Scientists found that fibronectin was expressed and assembled into fibrillar arrays in human tumors and in established glioblastoma multiforme lines. Cultured cells spontaneously formed dense cellular networks and spheroid-like domes. [Oncogene] Abstract

Critical Role of Zinc Finger Protein 521 in the Control of Growth, Clonogenicity and Tumorigenic Potential of Medulloblastoma Cells
Enforced overexpression of ZNF521 in DAOY medulloblastoma cells significantly increased their proliferation, growth as spheroids and ability to generate clones in single-cell cultures and semisolid media, and enhanced their migratory ability in wound-healing assays. [Oncotarget] Full Article

PKC-Dependent ERK Phosphorylation Is Essential for P2X₇ Receptor-Mediated Neuronal Differentiation of Neural Progenitor Cells
Stimulation of P2X₇ receptors induced Ca²⁺ influx, inhibited proliferation, altered cell cycle progression and enhanced the expression of neuronal markers, such as TUJ1 and MAP2. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Autophagy Negatively Regulates Early Axon Growth in Cortical Neurons
Researchers investigated whether autophagy was involved in early neurite growth and how it regulated neurite growth in primary cortical neurons. Inhibition of autophagy by atg7 siRNA caused elongation of axons, while activation of autophagy by rapamycin suppressed axon growth. [Mol Cell Biol] Abstract

Dexamethasone Inhibits the Maturation of Newly Formed Neurons and Glia Supplemented with Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids
Scientists examined the effect of dexamethasone (Dex), a synthetic glucocorticoid, on the differentiation of rat neural stem cells in vitro. Dex had no effect on the differentiation of cells cultured under standard conditions. [J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol] Abstract

Biochemical and Morphological Characterization of A2BP1 in Neuronal Tissue
In differentiated primary cultured rat hippocampal neurons, although A2BP1 was enriched in the nucleus and diffusely distributed in the cytoplasm, it was found in a punctate distribution adjacent to synapses. [J Neurosci Res] Abstract

Heterogeneous Reovirus Susceptibility in Human Glioblastoma Stem-Like Cell Cultures
To assess the sensitivity of glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSC) to reovirus-mediated cytolysis, a panel of GSC cultures was exposed to wild-type reovirus Type 3 Dearing and its junction adhesion molecule-A-independent mutant, jin-1. [Cancer Gene Ther] Abstract

The Cell Adhesion Molecule L1 Regulates the Expression of FGF21 and Enhances Neurite Outgrowth
Scientists have shown extensive outgrowth of long neurites in cerebellar neurons after treatment with either L1 or L1 antibody. [Brain Res] Abstract

The Timing of Neural Stem Cell-Based Virotherapy Is Critical for Optimal Therapeutic Efficacy when Applied with Radiation and Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Glioblastoma
Researchers showed that CRAd-Survivin-pk7-loaded HB1.F3-CD cells retain their tumor-tropic properties and capacity to function as in situ viral manufacturers in the presence of ionizing radiation and temozolomide. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

ReNeuron Wins £1.5 Million UK Government Grant for Phase II Stroke Trial
ReNeuron announced that it has been awarded a £1.5 million grant from the Technology Strategy Board, an innovation agency of the UK Government, under its Supporting Regenerative Medicines and Cell Therapies Competition. The grant will part-fund the Company’s Phase II clinical trial of its ReN001 stem cell therapy for disabled stroke patients. The trial is expected to commence in the UK later this year. [ReNeuron Group plc] Press Release

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November 18-19, 2013
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