Neural Cell News Volume 8.38 | Oct 1 2014

Blm-s, a BH3-Only Protein Enriched in Postmitotic Immature Neurons, Is Transcriptionally Upregulated by p53 during DNA Damage
Researchers identified a Bcl-2 family gene, Blm-s (Bcl-2-like molecule, short form), enriched in postmitotic neurons of the developing cerebral cortex. BLM-s functions as a BH3-only apoptosis sensitizer/derepressor and causes BAX-dependent mitochondria-mediated apoptosis by selectively binding to prosurvival BCL-2 or MCL-1. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Cells Reveal Niches that Support Neuronal Differentiation in the Adult Rat Brain
To identify microenvironments in the postnatal and adult rat brain with the capacity to support neuronal differentiation, researchers transplanted dissociated embryoid body (EB) cells to conventional neurogenic and non-neurogenic regions. Their results show a neuronal differentiation pattern of EB cells that was dependent on the host region. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Tenascin-R Promotes Assembly of the Extracellular Matrix of Perineuronal Nets via Clustering of Aggrecan
Researchers investigated whether defects are seen in dissociated and organotypic cultures from hippocampus and forebrain of tenascin-R-deficient mice and whether the structure of perineuronal nets could be normalized. [Philos Trans R Soc B-Biol Sci] Abstract

Aromatic-Turmerone Induces Neural Stem Cell Proliferation In Vitro and In Vivo
In vitro, aromatic (ar)-turmerone increased dose-dependently the number of cultured neural stem cells (NSCs), because of an increase in NSC proliferation. In vitro as well as in vivo, ar-turmerone promoted neuronal differentiation of NSCs. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article | Press Release

Combining Enriched Environment, Progesterone, and Embryonic Neural Stem Cell Therapy Improves Recovery Following Brain Injury
Scientists determined if varying combinations of post-injury enriched environments, progesterone therapy, or embryonic neural stem cell transplantation would improve functional outcomes over just a single therapy. [J Neurotrauma] Abstract

Contact-Mediated Inhibition between Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells and Motor Exit Point Glia Establishes the Spinal Cord Transition Zone
Researchers observed that prior to myelination, oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) extend processes into the periphery via the motor exit point (MEP) and immediately upon contact with spinal motor root glia retract back into the spinal cord. Characterization of the peripheral cell responsible for repelling OPC processes revealed that it was a novel, central nervous system-derived population of glia the authors propose calling MEP glia. [PLoS Biol] Full Article

miR-135b Contributes to the Radioresistance by Targeting GSK3β in Human Glioblastoma Multiforme Cells
Researchers established a radioresistant human glioblastoma multiforme cell line U87R derived from parental U87 and found miR-135b expression was upregulated in U87R cells. miR-135b knockdown reversed radioresistance of U87R cells, and miR-135b overexpression enhanced radioresistance of U87 cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

Cyclin D1 Acts as a Barrier to Pluripotent Reprogramming by Promoting Neural Progenitor Fate Commitment
Investigators identified Cyclin D1 to be capable of transcriptionally upregulating Pax6, which promoted reprogramming cells to commit to a neural progenitor fate rather than a pluripotent cell fate. [FEBS Lett] Abstract

SPOT14-Positive Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells in the Hippocampus Respond Dynamically to Neurogenic Regulators
Scientists show that aging is accompanied by a marked disappearance of SPOT14⁺ neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs), whereas running, a positive neurogenic stimulus, increases proliferation of SPOT14⁺ NSPCs. [Stem Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

The Future of Glioblastoma Therapy: Synergism of Standard of Care and Immunotherapy
The authors review current glioblastoma therapy and the evidence for combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors, dendritic cell and peptide vaccines with the current standard of care. [Cancers] Full Article

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the neural cell research field.

Blaze Bioscience Announces Initiation of Phase Ib Brain Cancer Program for Tumor Paint™ BLZ-100
Blaze Bioscience, Inc. announced that the company has received clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration for the first Phase I clinical study under their Tumor Paint BLZ-100 investigational new drug application. [Blaze Bioscience, Inc.] Press Release

FDA Approves NeuroGenetic Pharmaceuticals Application to Begin Clinical Trials for Its NGP 555 Compound to Treat and Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the investigational new drug application from NeuroGenetic Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NGP) to begin clinical trials on its NGP 555 compound to treat and prevent Alzheimer’s disease. [NeuroGenetic Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Glialogix and National Multiple Sclerosis Society Enter into Collaboration to Support Development of a New Oral Therapy for Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
Glialogix, Inc. announced that it has entered into a sponsored research agreement with Fast Forward, a nonprofit organization established by the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society to accelerate the development of treatments for MS. [Glialogix, Inc.] Press Release

GliaCure Enters First-in-Human Clinical Trial in Alzheimer’s Disease
GliaCure announced that has initiated dosing of healthy volunteers in a first-in-human Phase Ia clinical trial of its lead product candidate, GC021109, a novel compound developed as a disease-modifying treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. [GliaCure Inc.] Press Release

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Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the neural cell community.

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Research (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Postdoctoral Research Assistant – Epigenetic Regulation of Glioma Stem Cells Compared to Normal Neural Stem Cells (Queen Mary University of London)

Epilepsy Foundation Postdoctoral Fellows (Pfizer Neusentis)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Tissue Engineering & Spinal Cord Injury (Nanyang Technological University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Developmental Stem Cell and Cancer Biology (North Carolina College of Veterinary Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cells and Neurodegeneration (University of Copenhagen)

Postdoctoral Candidate – Dynamic Organization of Synapses (INSERM)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Molecular/Cellular Neuroscience (Center for Applied Medical Research, University of Navarra)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Biology (The University of Texas Medical School At Houston)

Postdoctoral Fellowship (Medical University of South Carolina)

Scientist – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Neural Differentiation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Media Development, High Throughput Screening (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Cell Culture Support Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Immunology/Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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