Neural Cell News Volume 8.47 | Dec 3 2014

Neural Progenitor Cells Orchestrate Microglia Migration and Positioning into the Developing Cortex
Researchers show that the ablation of basal progenitors as well as genetic loss of ​Cxcl12 affect microglia recruitment into the subventricular zone. Ectopic ​Cxcl12 expression or pharmacological blockage of ​CxcR4 further supports that ​Cxcl12/​CxcR4 signaling is involved in microglial recruitment during cortical development. [Nat Commun] Abstract

A Competitive Advantage by Neonatally Engrafted Human Glial Progenitors Yields Mice Whose Brains Are Chimeric for Human Glia
Scientists found that in human glial progenitor cells-xenografted mice, the human donor cells continue to expand throughout the forebrain, systematically replacing the host murine glia. [J Neurosci] Abstract

TRPM2 Channel Deficiency Prevents Delayed Cytosolic Zn²⁺ Accumulation and CA1 Pyramidal Neuronal Death after Transient Global Ischemia
Researchers investigated the role of ROS-sensitive transient receptor potential melastatin-related 2 (TRPM2) channel. Using in vivo and in vitro models of ischemia-reperfusion, they showed that genetic knockout of TRPM2 strongly prohibited the delayed increase in the cytosolic Zn²⁺ level , ROS generation, CA1 pyramidal neuronal death and postischemic memory impairment. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article | Press Release

Nurr1 Blocks the Mitogenic Effect of FGF-2 and EGF, Inducing Olfactory Bulb Neural Stem Cells to Adopt Dopaminergic and Dopaminergic-Gabaergic Neuronal Phenotypes
Scientists found that expressing Nurr1 in proliferating olfactory bulb stem cells produces a marked inhibition of cell proliferation and the generation of immature neurons immunoreactive for tyrosine hydroxylase concomitant with marked up-regulations of Th, Dat, Gad and Fgfr2 transcripts. [Dev Neurobiol] Abstract

Stroke Increases Neural Stem Cells and Angiogenesis in the Neurogenic Niche of the Adult Mouse
Stroke substantially increased the number of glial fibrillary acidic protein positive neural stem cells that are in contact with the cerebrospinal fluid via their apical processes at the center of pinwheel structures formed by ependymal cells residing in the lateral ventricle. [PLoS One] Full Article

In Vitro Characteristics of Valproic Acid and All-Trans-Retinoic Acid and Their Combined Use in Promoting Neuronal Differentiation while Suppressing Astrocytic Differentiation in Neural Stem Cells
Researchers compared the time-dependent characteristics of valproic acid and all-trans-retinoic acid in neural stem cell differentiation and neurite outgrowth in vitro and, for the first time, demonstrate the improved efficacy of their combined application in neuronal induction and astrocytic suppression. [Brain Res] Abstract

Gypenosides Protected the Neural Stem Cells in the Subventricular Zone of Neonatal Rats that Were Prenatally Exposed to Ethanol
Scientists tested the effect of prenatal ethanol exposure on the neonatal subventricular zone, and the protection potential of gypenosides on neural stem cells in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder rats. [Int J Mol Sci]
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Vitamin E Isomer δ-Tocopherol Enhances the Efficiency of Neural Stem Cell Differentiation via L-Type Calcium Channel
Researchers investigated the effects of δ-tocopherol on neural stem cell (NSC) neural differentiation, maturation and its possible mechanisms. Neonatal rat NSCs were grown in suspended neurosphere cultures, and were identified by their expression of nestin protein and their capacity for self-renewal. [Neurosci Lett] Abstract

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Eli Lilly and Company and AstraZeneca Initiate Pivotal Clinical Trial for Patients with Early Alzheimer’s Disease
Eli Lilly and Company and AstraZeneca announced enrollment of the first patient into AMARANTH, a Phase II/III study of an oral beta secretase cleaving enzyme inhibitor currently in development as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. [Eli Lilly and Company] Press Release

HealthTell Announces Receipt of an NIH/NCI Grant to Detect the Presence of Brain Cancer
HealthTell™ announced it has been awarded a $225,000 SBIR grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to evaluate the performance of the company’s proprietary Immunosignature™ Technology in accurately diagnosing brain cancer. [HealthTell™] Press Release

The ALS Association and MDA Team Up to Advance ALS Therapy Concept
The ALS Association and Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) have joined forces to fund a research project aimed at finding a potential therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. [Muscular Dystrophy Association Inc.] Press Release

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NEW Postdoctoral Position – Transposable Elements in Neural Stem Cells (Lund University)

NEW Research Technologist – Media Development (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Assistant Professor – Clinical Neurology (UCSF)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Chromatin and Epigenetic Regulation (Van Andel Research Institute)

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

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)

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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