Neural Cell News Volume 9.23 | Jun 17 2015

A 3D Human Neural Cell Culture System for Modeling Alzheimer’s Disease
The authors provide instructions for the generation and analysis of 3D human neural cell cultures, including the production of genetically modified human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) with familial Alzheimer’s disease (AD) mutations, the differentiation of the hNPCs in a 3D matrix and the analysis of AD pathogenesis. [Nat Protoc] Full Article

Programming Hippocampal Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells into Oligodendrocytes Enhances Remyelination in the Adult Brain after Injury
Researchers showed that Ascl1-mediated conversion of hippocampal neural stem/progenitor cells into mature oligodendrocytes enhances remyelination in a diphtheria-toxin-inducible, genetic model for demyelination. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Polymeric Alkylpyridinium Salts Permit Intracellular Delivery of Human Tau in Rat Hippocampal Neurons: Requirement of Tau Phosphorylation for Functional Deficits
At low doses, polymeric 1,3-alkylpyridinium salts (Poly-APS) was non-toxic and cultured cells exposed to Poly-APS and hTau had normal input resistance, resting-state membrane potentials and Ca²⁺ transients induced either by glutamate or KCl, as did cells exposed to a low concentration of the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid. [Cell Mol Life Sci] Abstract

Ischemia-Induced Autophagy Contributes to Neurodegeneration in Cerebellar Purkinje Cells in the Developing Rat Brain and in Primary Cortical Neurons In Vitro
Investigators evaluated the role of autophagy in the cerebellum after global ischemia produced by asphyxial cardiac arrest in postnatal day 16-18 rats, using siRNA-targeted inhibition of Atg7, necessary for microtubule-associated protein light chain 3-II and Atg12-Atg5 complex formation. [Biochim Biophys Acta] Abstract

Cell Proliferation and Drug Sensitivity of Human Glioblastoma Cells Are Altered by the Stable Modulation of Cytosolic 5′-Nucleotidase II
Cytosolic 5′-nucleotidase II (cN-II) has been reported to be involved in cell survival, nucleotide metabolism and in the cellular response to anticancer drugs. With the aim to further evaluate the role of this enzyme in cell biology, scientits stably modulated its expression the human glioblastoma cell ADF in which the transient inhibition of cN-II has been shown to induce cell death. [Int J Biochem Cell Biol] Abstract

Small-Molecule Inhibitors at the PSD-95/nNOS Interface Protect against Glutamate-Induced Neuronal Atrophy in Primary Cortical Neurons
The authors demonstrated that treatment of cultured primary cortical rat neurons for 24 hours with glutamate or N-methyl-d-aspartate combined with glycine suppresses neurite outgrowth. [Neuroscience] Abstract

Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway Involvement in Ionizing Radiation-Induced Invasion of U87 Glioblastoma Cells
Scientists investigated the role of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in radiation-induced invasion of glioblastoma cells. U87 cell invasiveness was increased significantly by ionizing radiation. [Strahlenther Onkol] Abstract

FGF-2 Signal Promotes Proliferation of Cerebellar Progenitor Cells and Their Oligodendrocytic Differentiation at Early Postnatal Stage
Researchers showed that CD44-positive cells prepared from the postnatal day 3 cerebellum gave rise to neurospheres, while CD44-negative cells prepared from the same cerebellum did not. These neurospheres differentiated mainly into oligodendrocytes and astrocytes, suggesting that CD44-positive neural stem/progenitor cells might generate oligodendrocytes in postnatal cerebellum. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Upregulation of Interferon Regulatory Factor 6 Promotes Neuronal Apoptosis after Traumatic Brain Injury in Adult Rats
Investigators established an adult rat traumatic brain injury (TBI) model. Compared to the sham brain cortex, Western blot and immunohistochemistry showed significant upregulation of IRF6 in the ipsilateral brain cortex after TBI. [Cell Mol Neurobiol] Abstract

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$25 Million Grant Establishes Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorders International Institute at NYU Langone Medical Center
NYU Langone Medical Center announced that the Paolo and Marlene Fresco Foundation has generously given $25 million to establish the international Marlene and Paolo Fresco Institute for Parkinson’s & Movement Disorders. [NYU Hospitals Center] Press Release

Ontario Government Invests $1 Million in Toronto’s Neuroscience Catalyst Consortium
Toronto’s neuroscience efforts to find new drugs to treat and manage brain disorders — specifically, mood disorders and Alzheimer’s disease — took another step forward as the Government of Ontario’s Ministry of Research and Innovation announced a $1 million contribution to the Neuroscience Catalyst consortium, bringing the total raised for the open innovation fund to $3.7 million. [MaRS Innovation] Press Release

Positive Outcome of Phase Ia Study with First-Ever Selective Muscarinic M1 Receptor Agonist for Improving Cognition in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease
Heptares Therapeutics announced the positive outcome of its Phase Ia study with HTL9936, the first-ever fully selective muscarinic M1 receptor agonist to enter clinical development. [Heptares Therapeutics] Press Release

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