Skin-Derived Neural Precursors Competitively Generate Functional Myelin in Adult Demyelinated Mice The authors performed a side-by-side comparison of CNS-derived and skin-derived neural precursors in culture and following engraftment in murine models of adult spinal cord demyelination. Grafted induced neural precursors exhibited a high capacity for survival, safe integration, migration, and timely differentiation into mature bona fide oligodendrocytes. [J Clin Invest] Full Article Genomic DISC1 Disruption in hiPSCs Alters Wnt Signaling and Neural Cell Fate Scientists showed that disruption of disrupted in schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) near the site of the translocation results in decreased DISC1 protein levels because of nonsense-mediated decay of long splice variants. This results in an increased level of canonical Wnt signaling in neural progenitor cells and altered expression of fate markers such as Foxg1 and Tbr2. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract Protein Kinase-A Inhibition Is Sufficient to Support Human Neural Stem Cells Self-Renewal The authors conducted a phenotypical screening to identify pathways involved in the regulation of human neural stem cell (hNSC) self-renewal. They analyzed 80 small molecules acting as kinase inhibitors and identified compounds of the 5-isoquinolinesulfonamide family, described as Protein Kinase A and Protein Kinase G inhibitors, as candidates to support hNSC self-renewal. [Stem Cells] Abstract DOT1L Activity Promotes Proliferation and Protects Cortical Neural Stem Cells from Activation of ATF4-DDIT3-Mediated ER Stress In Vitro The authors investigated the function of DOT1L in neural stem cells (NSCs) of the cerebral cortex. The pharmacological inhibition and shRNA-mediated knockdown of DOT1L impaired proliferation and survival of NSCs. [Stem Cells] Abstract Glyceraldehyde Caused Alzheimer’s Disease-Like Alterations in Diagnostic Marker Levels in SH-SY5Y Human Neuroblastoma Cells SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells were exposed to glyceraldehyde (GA), an inhibitor of glycolysis. GA induced the production of GA-derived advanced glycation end-products and cell apoptosis, glycolytic inhibition, decreases in the medium concentrations of diagnostic markers of Alzheimer’s disease, such as amyloid β 1-42, and increases in tau phosphorylation. [Sci Rep] Full Article Neural Stem/Progenitor Cell Properties of Glial Cells in the Adult Mouse Auditory Nerve Scientists examined the regenerative potential of the auditory nerve in a mouse model of auditory neuropathy. Following neuronal degeneration, quiescent glial cells converted to an activated state showing a decrease in nuclear chromatin condensation, altered histone deacetylase expression and up-regulation of numerous genes associated with neurogenesis or development. [Sci Rep] Full Article Inflammation without Neuronal Death Triggers Striatal Neurogenesis Comparable to Stroke Investigators showed that inflammation without corresponding neuronal loss caused by intrastriatal lipopolysaccharide injection leads to striatal neurogenesis in rats comparable to that after a 30 minute middle cerebral artery occlusion, as characterized by striatal DCX + neuroblast recruitment and mature NeuN +/BrdU + neuron formation. [Neurobiol Dis] Abstract Protease Omi Cleaving Hax-1 Protein Contributes to OGD/R-Induced Mitochondrial Damage in Neuroblastoma N2a Cells and Cerebral Injury in MCAO Mice Researchers investigated the mechanisms underlying the regulation of Hs1-associated protein X-1 (Hax-1) by protease Omi in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Mouse neuroblastoma N2a cells were subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation; cell viability was assessed with MTT assay. [Acta Pharmacol Sin] Full Article Neural Stem/Progenitor Cell-Laden Microfibers Promote Transplant Survival in a Mouse Transected Spinal Cord Injury Model To obtain functional recovery in a mouse model of complete spinal cord injury, this study uses a novel collagen-based microfiber as a scaffold for engrafted neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PCs). NS/PCs were seeded inside the novel microfibers, where they maintained their capacity to differentiate and proliferate. [J Neurosci Res] Abstract Micro-RNA-30a Regulates Ischemia-Induced Cell Death by Targeting Heat Shock Protein HSPA5 in Primary Cultured Cortical Neurons and Mouse Brain after Stroke Investigators explored the involvement of microRNA (miR)-30a in ischemia-induced apoptosis and its possible mechanisms in primary cortical neurons and stroked mouse brain. They demonstrated that miR-30a level is significantly decreased in cortical neurons after one-hour oxygen–glucose deprivation/24-hour reoxygenation. [J Neurosci Res] Abstract The MDM2 Small-Molecule Inhibitor RG7388 Leads to Potent Tumor Inhibition in p53 Wild-Type Neuroblastoma Scientists determined the efficacy and specificity of a second-generation mouse double minute 2 (MDM2) homolog inhibitor, RG7388, in neuroblastoma cell lines and xenografts and examined its effect on the p53-independent pathway of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha/vascular endothelial growth factor. [Cell Death Discov] Full Article |