Human-Derived Neural Progenitors Functionally Replace Astrocytes in Adult Mice Researchers demonstrate that after transplantation into the cervical spinal cords of adult mice with severe combined immunodeficiency, human pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitors migrate a long distance and differentiate to astrocytes that nearly replace their mouse counterparts over a nine-month period. [J Clin Invest] Full Article | Press Release Polymeric Nanoparticles for Non-Viral Gene Therapy Extend Brain Tumor Survival In Vivo Scientists investigated polymer structure for gene delivery in two rat glioma cell lines, 9L and F98, to discover nanoparticle formulations more effective than the leading commercial reagent Lipofectamine 2000. [ACS Nano] Abstract | Press Release NPD1-Mediated Stereoselective Regulation of BIRC3 Expression through cREL Is Decisive for Neural Cell Survival Scientists report that, in retinal pigment epithelial cells, neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1) induces nuclear translocation and cREL synthesis that, in turn, mediates BIRC3 transcription. [Cell Death Differ] Full Article | Press Release Neural Stem Cell Progeny Regulate Stem Cell Death in a Notch and Hox Dependent Manner Researchers identified a cis-regulatory region that controls the transcription of the cell death activators reaper, grim and sickle exclusively in neural stem cells. Using a reporter generated from this regulatory region, they found that Notch activity is required for neural stem cell death. [Cell Death Differ] Abstract Oct-3/4 Modulates the Drug-Resistant Phenotype of Glioblastoma Cells through Expression of ATP Binding Cassette Transporter G2 The involvement of Oct-3/4 in drug resistance of glioblastoma cells was assessed by lactate dehydrogenase assay, efflux assay of an anticancer drug, poly ADP-ribose polymerase cleavage, and in vivo xenograft experiments. [Biochim Biophys Acta] Abstract MECP2e1 Isoform Mutation Affects the Form and Function of Neurons Derived from Rett Syndrome Patient iPS Cells RTTe1 patient induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell-derived neurons retain an inactive X-chromosome and express only the mutant allele. Single-cell mRNA analysis demonstrated they have a molecular signature of cortical neurons. Mutant neurons exhibited a decrease in soma size, reduced dendritic complexity and decreased cell capacitance, consistent with impaired neuronal maturation. [Neurobiol Dis] Abstract Early Intervention for Spinal Cord Injury with Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Oligodendrocyte Progenitors Scientists demonstrate for the first time that oligodendrocyte progenitors can be derived from induced pluripotent stem cells generated using either an episomal, non-integrating plasmid approach or standard integrating retroviruses that survive and differentiate into mature oligodendrocytes after early transplantation into the injured spinal cord. [PLoS One] Full Article Differential Regulation of Caspase-2 in MPP+-Induced Apoptosis in Primary Cortical Neurons Researchers verified the involvement of mitochondria in 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+)-induced and spontaneous apoptosis in cortical neurons through confocal microscope analysis. They demonstrate that caspase-2 activation is specific to MPP+-induced apoptosis and occurs before Bcl-2 associated protein X translocation to the mitochondria. [Exp Cell Res] Abstract MCT4-Mediated Expression of EAAT1 is Involved in the Resistance to Hypoxia Injury in Astrocyte-Neuron Co-Cultures Scientists hypothesized that astrocytes would respond to hypoxic conditions by enhancing their expression of monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4) and excitatory amino acid transporter 1 (EAAT1), which, in turn, would enable them to better support neurons to survive lethal hypoxia injury. [Neurochem Res] Abstract |