Investigators identified an endogenous inhibitor of remyelination, Endothelin-1 (ET-1), which is highly expressed in reactive astrocytes of demyelinated lesions. Using both gain- and loss-of-function approaches, they demonstrated that ET-1 drastically reduces the rate of remyelination. [Neuron] Abstract | Press Release Axonal Transport of TDP-43 mRNA Granules Is Impaired by ALS-Causing Mutations
The authors showed that TDP-43 forms cytoplasmic mRNP granules that undergo bidirectional, microtubule-dependent transport in neurons in vitro and in vivo and facilitate delivery of target mRNA to distal neuronal compartments. [Neuron] Abstract | Full Article | Press Release
Stress and Glucocorticoids Promote Oligodendrogenesis in the Adult Hippocampus
Investigators found that immobilization stress decreased neurogenesis and increased oligodendrogenesis in the dentate gyrus of the adult rat hippocampus and that injections of the rat glucocorticoid stress hormone corticosterone were sufficient to replicate this effect. [Mol Psychiatry] Abstract
Positive Feedback Loop between Sox2 and Sox6 Inhibits Neuronal Differentiation in the Developing Central Nervous System
Gain- and loss-of-function assays indicate that Sox6 in turn is required for the maintenance of Sox2 expression, suggesting that a positive feedback loop, which functions to inhibit premature neuronal differentiation, exists between the two transcription factors. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract
IRF4 Is a Novel Mediator for Neuronal Survival in Ischemic Stroke
Researchers have shown that the interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4)-serum response factor axis is a novel signaling pathway critical for neuronal survival in the setting of ischemic stroke. [Cell Death Differ] Full Article
Nrf2 Regulates Neurogenesis and Protects Neural Progenitor Cells against Aβ Toxicity
Results suggest that nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) is essential for neuronal differentiation of neural stem/progenitor cells (NPCs), regulates injury-induced neurogenesis and provides protection against amyloid beta (Aβ)-induced NPC toxicity. [Stem Cells] Abstract
Bax Interacting Factor-1 Promotes Survival and Mitochondrial Elongation in Neurons
Previous studies in non-neuronal cells have shown that Bax-interacting factor 1 (Bif-1) is proapoptotic and promotes mitochondrial fragmentation. However, the role of Bif-1 in postmitotic neurons has not been investigated. In contrast to non-neuronal cells, researchers report that in neurons Bif-1 promotes viability and mitochondrial elongation. [J Neurosci] Abstract
Neu3 Sialidase-Mediated Ganglioside Conversion Is Necessary for Axon Regeneration and Is Blocked in CNS Axons
Researchers showed that activation of Neu3 sialidase, also known as Neuraminidase-3, causing conversion of GD1a and GT1b to GM1 ganglioside, is an essential step in regeneration occurring in PNS (sensory) but not CNS (retinal) axons in adult rat. [J Neurosci] Abstract
Kappe Neurons, a Novel Population of Olfactory Sensory Neurons
Kappe neurons constitute the fourth type of olfactory sensory neurons reported in teleost fishes and their existence suggests that encoding of olfactory stimuli may require a higher complexity than hitherto assumed already in the peripheral olfactory system. [Sci Rep] Full Article
Transplantation of Photoreceptors Derived from Human Müller Glia Restore Rod Function in the P23H Rat
Researchers aimed to differentiate human Müller glia with stem cell characteristics (hMSCs) into photoreceptor cells by stimulation with growth and differentiation factors in vitro to upregulate gene and protein expression of CRX, NR2E3, and rhodopsin and various phototransduction markers associated with rod photoreceptor development and function and to examine the effect of subretinal transplantation of these cells into the P23H rat, a model of primary photoreceptor degeneration. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release
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