Neural Cell News Volume 9.00 | Jan 7 2015

Targeting ATM Ameliorates Mutant Huntingtin Toxicity in Cell and Animal Models of Huntington’s Disease
Researchers show that ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) signaling was consistently elevated in cells derived from Huntington’s disease (HD) mice and in brain tissue from HD mice and patients. ATM knockdown protected from toxicities induced by mutant Huntingtin fragments in mammalian cells and in transgenic Drosophila models. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract

Differential Effects of Extracellular Vesicles Secreted by Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Different Sources on Glioblastoma Cells
Given the ability of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to affect glioma growth, researchers investigated the effects of extracellular vesicles derived from MSCs on U87MG glioblastoma cells line. [Expert Opin Biol Ther] Abstract

Human Cytomegalovirus Gene Expression in Long-Term Infected Glioma Stem Cells
Researchers hypothesized that a specific human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) gene signature may be associated with glioblastoma pathogenesis. They used glioma cell lines and primary glioma stem-like cells infected with clinical and laboratory HCMV strains and measured relative viral gene expression levels along several time points up to 15 weeks post-infection. [PLoS One] Full Article

The Neuron Regrowth Is Associated with the Proliferation of Neural Precursor Cells after Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Administration following Spinal Cord Injury in Mice
Investigators explored whether LIF could promote the proliferation of neural precursor cells (NPCs) and analyzed the correlation between increased NPCs and FluoroGold labeled neurons in mice after spinal cord injury. [PLoS One] Full Article

Electrospun Biomaterial Scaffolds with Varied Topographies for Neuronal Differentiation of Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Researchers investigated the effect of micro and nanoscale scaffold topography on promoting neuronal differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells and directing the resulting neuronal outgrowth in an organized manner. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

Identification of a Novel Cell-Penetrating Peptide Targeting Human Glioblastoma Cell Lines as a Cancer-Homing Transporter
Scientists attempted to identify novel cancer-homing cell-penetrating peptides to target glioblastoma multiforme, which is often refractory and resistant to treatment. One of the candidate peptides showed selective cell-penetrating activity in U87MG cells. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Restoration of Progranulin Expression Rescues Cortical Neuron Generation in an Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Model of Frontotemporal Dementia
To understand how haploinsufficiency of progranulin causes frontotemporal dementia (FTD), scientists created induced pluripotent stem cells from patients carrying the GRN^{IVS1+5G > C} mutation. Although generation of neuroprogenitors was unaffected, their further differentiation into CTIP2-, FOXP2-, or TBR1-TUJ1 double-positive cortical neurons, but not motorneurons, was significantly decreased in FTD-neural progeny. [Stem Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

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

BrainStorm Announces Final Analysis of Phase IIa ALS Study Showing Nearly All Subjects Experienced Clinical Benefit from NurOwn™
BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. announced positive final results from its Phase IIa clinical trial of NurOwn™ in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, which enrolled 14 subjects at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem. [BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release

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

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)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

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

NEW Postdoctoral Researcher – Epigenetic Mechanisms and Behavioral Outcomes of Developmental Neurotoxicity (Thomas Jefferson University)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Wnt Signaling in Development and Disease (Van Andel Research Institute)

NEW Faculty Position – Neuroscience/Membrane Proteins (National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences)

Tenure-Track Position – Cellular/Molecular Neuroscience (Carnegie Mellon University)

Postdoctoral Position – Morphogenetic Signaling Pathways in Development and Disease (University of Rochester Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Neural Development (National Institutes of Health)

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

Research Technologist – Media Development (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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.)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 50,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.