Neural Cell News Volume 8.22 | Jun 11 2014

iPSC-Derived Neurons from GBA1-Associated Parkinson’s Disease Patients Show Autophagic Defects and Impaired Calcium Homeostasis
The authors generated induced pluripotent stem cells from subjects with Gaucher’s disease and Parkinson’s disease harboring acid β-glucocerebrosidase (GBA1) mutations, and differentiated them into midbrain dopaminergic neurons followed by enrichment using fluorescence-activated cell sorting. [Nat Commun] Abstract

Nuclear Receptor TLX Stimulates Hippocampal Neurogenesis and Enhances Learning and Memory in a Transgenic Mouse Model
Researchers generated a transgenic mouse model that expresses TLX under the control of the promoter of nestin, a neural precursor marker. Transgenic TLX expression led to mice with enlarged brains with an elongated hippocampal dentate gyrus and increased numbers of newborn neurons. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA]
Abstract | Press Release

Abrogation of α-Synuclein-Mediated Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration in LRRK2-Deficient Rats
Investigators report leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) knockout rats as resistant to dopaminergic neurodegeneration elicited by intracranial administration of LPS. LRRK2 knockout animals had no significant loss of neurons and had reduced numbers of activated myeloid cells in the substantia nigra. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release

Engineered N-Cadherin and L1 Biomimetic Substrates Concertedly Promote Neuronal Differentiation, Neurite Extension, and Neuroprotection of Human Neural Stem Cells
Researchers investigated the design of neurotrophic biomaterial constructs for human neural stem cells, guided by neural developmental cues of N-cadherin and L1 adhesion molecule. [Acta Biomater] Abstract

Long-Term Health of Dopaminergic Neuron Transplants in Parkinson’s Disease Patients
To determine the long-term health and function of transplanted dopamine neurons in Parkinson’s disease patients, the expression of dopamine transporters and mitochondrial morphology were examined in human fetal midbrain cellular transplants. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

MUL1 Acts in Parallel to the PINK1/parkin Pathway in Regulating Mitofusin and Compensates for Loss of PINK1/parkin
Investigators showed that MUL1 suppresses PINK1 or parkin mutant phenotypes in Drosophila. They further showed that removing MUL1 in PINK1 or parkin loss-of-function mutant aggravates phenotypes caused by loss of either gene alone, leading to lethality in flies and degeneration in mouse cortical neurons. [eLife]
Full Article | Press Release

Cell Autonomous Regulation of Hippocampal Circuitry via Aph1b-γ-Secretase/Neuregulin 1 Signaling
Researchers showed that the Aph1b-γ-secretase is selectively involved in Neuregulin 1 (Nrg1) intracellular signaling. Gain and loss of function and genetic rescue experiments indicate that Nrg1 intracellular signaling promotes dendritic spine formation downstream of Aph1b-γ-secretase in vitro and in vivo. [eLife]
Abstract | Full Article

Heading to ISSCR 2014 in Vancouver?
Come Visit Connexon Creative at Booth #507 and Enter to Win $100 Amazon Gift Card!

CXCR4/CXCR7 Molecular Involvement in Neuronal and Neural Progenitor Migration: Focus in CNS Repair
In function of its concentration, CXCL12 can induce different responses, promoting neural progenitor cell (NPC) migration at low concentrations while favoring cell adhesion via EGF and the alpha 6 integrin at high CXCL12 concentrations. However, the preclinical effectiveness of chemokines and their relationship with NPC mobilization requires further study, particularly with respect to CNS repair. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the neuroscience field.

BrainStorm Expands Pipeline with Initiation of Pre-Clinical Study in Autism
BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics announced that it has initiated a study in a mouse model of autism at the Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, under the direction of Professor Daniel Offen. The study will explore the effects of the company’s “MSC-NTF” cells on mouse behavior. [BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release

First Patient Enrolled in BrainStorm’s Phase II ALS Trial at Massachusetts General Hospital
BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics announced that the first patient was enrolled in its Phase II ALS trial at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. BrainStorm’s Phase II trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled multi-center study designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transplantation of autologous mesenchymal stem cells secreting neurotrophic factors in 48 ALS patients. [BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release

From our sponsor:
Looking for ALDH⁺ cancer stem cells? Watch a video to see how ALDEFLUOR^TM can help.

National Institutes of Health (United States)

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

NEW The World Stem Cell Summit 2014
December 3-5, 2014
San Antonio, United States