Neural Cell News Volume 8.45 | Nov 19 2014

Tgfβ Signaling Regulates Temporal Neurogenesis and Potency of Neural Stem Cells in the CNS
By examining a temporal differentiation lineage in the hindbrain, researchers identified Tgfβ as a switch signal that executes the transition between early and late phases of neurogenesis and concurrently constrains progenitor potency. [Neuron] Abstract | Press Release

VTA CRF Neurons Mediate the Aversive Effects of Nicotine Withdrawal and Promote Intake Escalation
Scientists identify in rodents and humans a population of ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopaminergic neurons expressing corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). They provide evidence in rodents that chronic nicotine exposure upregulates Crh mRNA in dopaminergic neurons of the posterior VTA, activates local CRF₁ receptors and blocks nicotine-induced activation of transient GABAergic input to dopaminergic neurons. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract | Press Release

The Combination of Cannabidiol and Δ⁹-Tetrahydrocannabinol Enhances the Anticancer Effects of Radiation in an Orthotopic Murine Glioma Model
In an attempt to improve treatment outcome, researchers investigated the effect of Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol both alone and in combination with radiotherapy in a number of glioma cell lines. [Mol Cancer Ther] Abstract | Press Release

Evaluation of Motor Neuron-Like Cell Differentiation of hEnSCs on Biodegradable PLGA Nanofiber Scaffolds
Scientists investigated the capability of human endometrial stem cells (hEnSCs) to be differentiated into motor neuron-like cells under biochemical and topographical cues. [Mol Neurobiol] Abstract

Disruption of Polyubiquitin Gene Ubb Causes Dysregulation of Neural Stem Cell Differentiation with Premature Gliogenesis
To determine whether or not the defects in neurons or their progenitors, but not in their cellular microenvironment, are the cause of the neural phenotypes observed in Ubb^−/− mice, the authors investigated the properties of cultured cells isolated from Ubb^−/− mouse embryonic brains. [Sci Rep] Full Article

A Targeted Secretome Profiling by Multiplexed Immunoassay Revealed that Secreted Chemokine Ligand 2 (MCP-1/CCL2) Affects Neural Differentiation in Mesencephalic Neural Progenitor Cells
By exploiting the multiplexing capability of magnetic beads-based immunoassays, researchers investigated the changes of the expression levels of a set of chemokines and cytokines released from the pluripotent neural cell line mes-c-myc A following its differentiation from a proliferating toward a neural phenotype. [Proteomics] Abstract

Glioblastoma Exosomes and IGF-1R/AS-ODN Are Immunogenic Stimuli in a Translational Research Immunotherapy Paradigm
In a pilot study, a vaccine consisting of Lucite diffusion chambers containing irradiated autologous tumor cells pre-treated with an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide directed against the insulin-like growth factor type 1 receptor was found to elicit positive clinical responses in 8/12 patients when implanted in the rectus sheath for 24 hours. Investigators make use of a murine glioma model and samples from glioblastoma patients in this second Phase I trial to investigate this novel therapeutic intervention more thoroughly. [Cancer Immunol Immunother]
Abstract | Press Release

Hypoxic Conditioned Medium from Rat Cerebral Cortical Cells Enhances the Proliferation and Differentiation of Neural Stem Cells Mainly through PI3-K/Akt Pathways
Scientists investigated the effects of hypoxic conditioned media from rat cerebral cortical cells on the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in vitro, and studied the roles of PI3-K/Akt and JNK signal transduction pathways in these processes. [PLoS One] Full Article

Neural Stem Cells in Parkinson’s Disease: A Role for Neurogenesis Defects in Onset and Progression
The authors suggest a link between deregulated neurogenesis and the onset and progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and present strong evidence that, in addition to a neurodegenerative disorder, PD can also be regarded as a developmental disorder. [Cell Mol Life Sci] Abstract

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ENDECE Neural’s NDC-1308 Induces Remyelination in Pre-Clinical Multiple Sclerosis Study
ENDECE Neural announced the presentation of new, pre-clinical evidence that the company’s lead compound, NDC-1308, induces remyelination and increases forelimb grip strength in a validated animal model of demyelination. [Press release from ENDECE Neural discussing research presented at Neuroscience 2014, Washington DC] Press Release

New Autism Study Safety Data to be Presented
Cord Blood Registry^® announced data from the first ever FDA-registered study on the safety of autologous umbilical cord blood stem cells in treating autism. [Press release from Cord Blood Registry^® discussing research presented at the Translational Neuroscience: Bridging the Gap Between Basic Research Discoveries and Clinical Applications Cell Symposium, Arlington] Press Release

AbbVie Presents Results from Study of ABT-414 in Patients with Glioblastoma Multiforme
The results from the three-arm clinical trial, which evaluated ABT-414 as a monotherapy, in combination with chemotherapy, or in combination with radiation and chemotherapy, in patients with glioblastoma multiforme were presented. [Press release from AbbVie Inc. discussing research presented at the 19^th Annual Scientific Meeting and Education Day of the Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO), Miami] Press Release

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NIH Awards Joel Richter $9.5 Million for Fragile X Research Center
The National Institutes of Health has awarded a $9.5 million grant to Professor of Molecular Medicine Joel D. Richter, PhD, and colleagues to establish a Center for Collaborative Research in Fragile X at UMass Medical School, one of three centers designated by the NIH. [University of Massachusetts Medical School]
Press Release | Video

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NEW Head of Cellular and Molecular Therapies Laboratory (NHS Blood & Transplant)

Postdoctoral Scientist – Immunotherapy (Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Developmental, Stem Cell, and/or Cancer Biology (North Carolina State University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Mitochondrial Science in Parkinson’s Disease (Haukeland University Hospital and University of Bergen)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell Biology (Northwestern University)

Faculty Positions – Personalized Medicine (University of Nevada, Las Vegas)

Associate/Full Professor – Rudi Schmid Endowed Chair in Neuroscience (University of California, San Francisco)

Tenure Track Positions – Neuroscience (Albert Einstein College of Medicine / Gottesman Stem Cell Institute)

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

Postdoctoral Candidate – Dynamic Organization of Synapses (INSERM)

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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