Neural Cell News Volume 7.40 | Oct 9 2013

Deficits in MicroRNA-Mediated Cxcr4/Cxcl12 Signaling in Neurodevelopmental Deficits in a 22q11 Deletion Syndrome Mouse Model
Researchers showed that a 22q11 deletion syndrome mouse model with a deletion of 18 orthologous genes of human 22q11 has deficits in migration of cortical interneurons and hippocampal dentate precursor cells. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Full Article

Comparative Drug Pair Screening across Multiple Glioblastoma Cell Lines Reveals Novel Drug-Drug Interactions
Researchers aimed to identify identified new synergistic drug pairs for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). In addition, they aimed to explore differences in drug-drug interactions across multiple GBM-derived cell cultures and predict such differences by use of transcriptional biomarkers. [Neuro Oncol] Abstract

P2X7 Purinoceptors Contribute to the Death of Schwann Cells Transplanted into the Spinal Cord
Researchers showed that rat Schwann cells (SCs) express P2X7 purinoceptors (P2X7R) and exposure of cultured SCs to high concentrations of ATP (3-5 mM) or a P2X7R agonist, 2′(3′)-O-(4-benzoylbenzoyl)ATP induced significant cell death rapidly. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

The Neuroprotective Effect Exerted by Oligodendroglial Progenitors on Ischemically Impaired Hippocampal Cells
Researchers set up an ex vivo co-culture system of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) isolated from neonatal rat brain with organotypic hippocampal slices injured by oxygen-glucose deprivation. The presence of OPCs in such co-cultures resulted in a significant neuroprotective effect manifesting itself as a decrease in cell death rate and as an extension of newly formed cells in ischemically impaired hippocampal slices. [Mol Neurobiol] Full Article

Glutamate Release from Astrocyte Cell-Line GL261 via Alterations in the Intracellular Ion Environment
Recent studies have reported that channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) is useful for alteration of intracellular ion environment in several types of cells with blue light exposure. Here, researchers showed that ChR2-expressing GL261 cells, clonal astrocytes, change their properties by photo-activation. [J Neural Transm] Abstract

Claulansine F Promotes Neuritogenesis in PC12 Cells via the ERK Signaling Pathway
Claulansine F (Clau F) significantly increased the percentage of PC12 cells bearing neurites. Clau F markedly increased the expression of GAP-43 in the cells. [Acta Pharmacol Sin] Abstract

Prolonged Cultivation of Hippocampal Neural Precursor Cells Shifts Their Differentiation Potential and Selects for Aneuploid Cells
Assessing their in vitro plasticity, scientists isolated Nestin+/Sox2+, neural precursor cells (NPCs) from the adult murine hippocampus. In vitro-expanded, adult NPCs were able to form neurospheres, self-renew and differentiate into neuronal, astrocytic and oligodendrocytic cells. [Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Thymoquinone Prevents β-Amyloid Neurotoxicity in Primary Cultured Cerebellar Granule Neurons
The neuroprotective properties of thymoquinone were investigated by studying its anti-apoptotic potential to diminish β-amyloid peptide 1-40 sequence-induced neuronal cell death in primary cultured cerebellar granule neurons. [Cell Mol Neurobiol] Abstract

Aβ Secretion and Plaque Formation Depend on Autophagy
To investigate the role of autophagy in amyloid beta (Aβ) pathology in vivo, scientists crossed amyloid precursor protein transgenic mice with mice lacking autophagy in excitatory forebrain neurons obtained by conditional knockout of autophagy-related protein 7. [Cell Rep]
Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

Approaches for Neural Tissue Regeneration
In this review article, various approaches currently investigated to promote neural regeneration are covered. Those include approaches based on (and many times combining) stem cell therapy, scaffolds made of hydrogel, electrospun fibers and conductive materials as well as the use of soluble or non-diffusible growth factors. [Stem Cells Rev] Abstract

StemCells, Inc. Receives FDA Authorization of IND for Spinal Cord Injury
StemCells, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the Company’s Investigational New Drug (IND) application for clinical testing of the Company’s proprietary HuCNS-SC® human neural stem cells as a treatment for spinal cord injury. [StemCells, Inc.] Press Release

The Michael J. Fox Foundation Launches think/able: Miles for a Cure, a Month-Long Challenge to Raise $50,000 for Parkinson’s Research
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research has created think/able: Miles for a Cure, calling on the Parkinson’s community to walk, run, or bike a collective 50,000 miles to raise funds for research. [The Michael J. Fox Foundation] Press Release