Neural Cell News Volume 9.27 | Jul 22 2015

A Standardized and Reproducible Protocol for Serum-Free Monolayer Culturing of Primary Pediatric Brain Tumors to Be Utilized for Therapeutic Assays
Researchers defined a simple, non-expensive and reproducible serum-free cell culture protocol for establishment and propagation of primary pediatric brain tumor cultures as adherent monolayers. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Engrafted Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells Promote Functional Recovery through Synapse Reorganization with Spared Host Neurons after Spinal Cord Injury
Scientists showed that neural stem/progenitor cell (NSPC) transplantation promotes functional recovery after mild and moderate spinal cord injury (SCI), but not after severe SCI. In severe SCI mice, there were few remaining host neurons within the range of NSPC engraftment; thus, they examined whether the co-distribution of transplant and host is a contributory factor for functional improvement. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article

Interferon Gamma Induces Protective Non-Canonical Signaling Pathways in Primary Neurons
Investigators showed that exogenous interferon γ (IFNγ) has no deleterious impact on neuronal viability, and staurosporine-induced apoptosis in neurons is significantly blunted by the addition of IFNγ, suggesting that IFNγ confers a pro-survival signal in neurons. [J Neurochem] Abstract

Neuronal Regulation of Neuroprotective Microglial Apolipoprotein E Secretion in Rat In Vitro Models of Brain Pathophysiology
Using rat primary neural cell cultures, scientists showed that microglia release apolipoprotein E (ApoE) through a Golgi-mediated secretion pathway and that ApoE progressively accumulates in neuroprotective microglia-conditioned medium. This constitutive ApoE release is negatively affected by microglial activation both with lipopolysaccharide and with ATP. [J Neuropathol Exp Neurol] Abstract

Endoscopic Delivery of Enteric Neural Stem Cells to Treat Hirschsprung Disease
Enteric neural stem cells for transplantation were cultured from dissociated gut of postnatal donor mice. Twelve recipient mice, including Ednrb^−/− mice with distal colonic aganglionosis, underwent colonoscopic injection of enteric neural stem cells under direct vision using a 30-gauge Hamilton needle passed through a rigid cystoureteroscope. [Neurogastroenterol Motil] Abstract

Chronaxie Measurements in Patterned Neuronal Cultures from Rat Hippocampus
The authors used patterned quasi one-dimensional neuronal cultures from rat hippocampus, exploiting the alignment of axons along the linear patterned culture to separate the contribution of dendrites to the excitation of the neuron from that of axons. [PLoS One] Full Article

In Vitro Screening of Clinical Drugs Identifies Sensitizers of Oncolytic Viral Therapy in Glioblastoma Stem-Like Cells
Investigators addressed the feasibility of clinically applicable drugs to enhance the oncolytic potential of the oncolytic virus Delta24-RGD in glioblastoma. In total, 446 drugs were screened for their viral sensitizing properties in glioblastoma stem-like cells in vitro. [Gene Ther] Abstract

The Neuritogenic and Synaptogenic Effects of the Ethanolic Extract of Radix Puerariae in Cultured Rat Hippocampal Neurons
The authors investigated the neurotrophic effects of these ethnomedicines on the development of central nervous system neurons and the molecular bases of these activities. [J Ethnopharmacol] Abstract

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Neurotrope to Showcase Bryostatin as a Potential Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease
Neurotrope, Inc. announced that Neurotrope Bioscience, Inc. showcased bryostatin as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease. [Press release from Neurotrope, Inc. (PR Newswire Association LLC) discussing research presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference^® 2015 (AAIC^®), Washington] Press Release

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StemCells, Inc. Transplants First Patient in Phase II Clinical Trial for Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration
StemCells, Inc. announced that it has completed transplantation of the first subject in its Radiant Study at the Retina Foundation of the Southwest. The Phase II trial is designed to evaluate both the safety and efficacy of the Company’s proprietary HuCNS-SC^® platform technology for the treatment of geographic atrophy, the most advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration. [StemCells, Inc.] Press Release

C₂N and AbbVie Announce FDA Orphan Drug Designation of C2N-8E12 (ABBV-8E12) for the Treatment of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
C₂N Diagnostics and AbbVie announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted their investigational recombinant humanized anti-tau antibody, C2N-8E12 (ABBV-8E12), an orphan drug designation for the treatment of progressive supranuclear palsy. [AbbVie Inc.] Press Release

Aquinnah Pharmaceuticals Receives $500,000 in Grants from the ALS Association
Aquinnah Pharmaceuticals announced that it has received two grants totaling $500,000 from the ALS Association to support its research to find treatments and a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). [Aquinnah Pharmaceuticals] Press Release

Treventis Corporation Pre Clinical Candidate TRV 101 Demonstrates Significant Reduction in Both Amyloid Beta and Tau Toxic Aggregates in Animal Models of Alzheimer’s Disease
Treventis Corporation announced that the company’s pre-clinical candidate TRV 101 has successfully demonstrated significant reduction in the toxic aggregates/ oligomers of both amyloid beta and tau protein in multiple transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer’s Disease. [Treventis Corporation] Press Release

Isis Pharmaceuticals Initiates Clinical Study of ISIS-HTT Rx in Patients with Huntington’s Disease
Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it has initiated a Phase I/IIa clinical study of ISIS-HTT_Rx in patients with Huntington’s disease. [Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

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)

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Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Chemist/Biochemist/Nanotechnologist (Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta”)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Neural Development and Cancer (Columbia University)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow/Research Assistant Professor – Neurodegenerative Diseases (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)

PhD Student – Biology of Brain Metastasis (Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Neural Development and Function (Mayo Clinic)

Junior Research Group for Neuroscientists (Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Neural Stem Cells (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia)

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