Neural Cell News Volume 9.36 | Sep 23 2015

Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neural Constructs for Predicting Neural Toxicity
Human embryonic stem cell-derived neural progenitor cells, endothelial cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and microglia/macrophage precursors were combined on chemically defined polyethylene glycol hydrogels and cultured in serum-free medium to model cellular interactions within the developing brain. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Full Article | Press Release

MicroRNA-Based Conversion of Human Fibroblasts into Striatal Medium Spiny Neurons
Investigators describe a stepwise protocol for the generation of medium spiny neurons by direct neuronal conversion of human fibroblasts in 30 days. They provide descriptions of cellular behaviors during reprogramming and crucial steps involved in gene delivery, cell adhesion and culturing conditions that promote cell survival. [Nat Protoc] Abstract

Suppressor of Fused Is Critical for Maintenance of Neuronal Progenitor Identity during Corticogenesis
Researchers showed that suppressor of fused (Sufu) controls projection neuron specification by maintaining the identity of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in the embryonic neocortex. Deletion of Sufu in NPCs of the E10.5 mouse neocortex led to improper specification of progenitors and a reduction in intermediate progenitors during corticogenesis. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Electrospun SF/PLCL Nanofibrous Membrane: A Potential Scaffold for Retinal Progenitor Cell Proliferation and Differentiation
Scientists investigated the effects of blended electrospun nanofibrous membranes of silk fibroin (SF) and poly(L-lactic acid-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL), a novel scaffold, on the biological behaviour of retinal progenitor cells in vitro. [Sci Rep] Full Article

The Energy Blockers Bromopyruvate and Lonidamine Lead GL15 Glioblastoma Cells to Death by Different p53-Dependent Routes
The effects produced by the energy blockers bromopyruvate (3BP) and lonidamine (LND) and the underlying biochemical mechanisms were investigated in GL15 glioblastoma cells. 3BP exerted early effects compared to LND, even though both drugs lead cells to death but by different routes. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Small Molecule Agonists of Mammalian Diaphanous-Related (mDia) Formins Reveal an Effective Glioblastoma Anti-Invasion Strategy
The authors used the formin inhibitor SMIFH2 and mDia agonists IMM-01/-02 and mDia2-DAD peptides which disrupt autoinhibition to examine the roles of mDia inactivation verses activation in glioblastoma cell migration and invasion in vitro, and in an ex vivo brain slice invasion model. [Mol Biol Cell] Abstract | Press Release

E804 Induces Growth Arrest, Differentiation and Apoptosis of Glioblastoma Cells by Blocking Stat3 Signaling
Researchers tested E804, the commercially available indirubin derivatives, against U251 and U87 glioblastoma cells. Treatment with E804 significantly inhibited the growth of human glioblastoma cells lines via induction of differentiation and apoptosis. [J Neurooncol] Abstract

Modification of Aquaporin Expression in Response to Fenretinide-Induced Transdifferentiation of ARPE-19 Cells into Neuronal-Like Cells
The authors investigated the modifications of aquaporin expression in ARPE-19 cells in response to fenretinide-induced transdifferentiation into neuronal-like cells. [Acta Ophthalmol] Abstract

RNA Interference Machinery-Mediated Gene Regulation in Mouse Adult Neural Stem Cells
Investigators showed that the RNA interference machinery regulates Doublecortin levels and is associated with chromatin in differentiating adult neural progenitors. [BMC Neurosci] Full Article

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Horwitz Prize Awarded for Research Revealing How the Brain Is Wired
Columbia University awarded the 2015 Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize to S. Lawrence Zipursky, PhD, for discovering a molecular identification system that helps neurons to navigate and wire the brain. [Columbia University] Press Release

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NEW Early Stage Researcher – Neuroscience (Universität Bern)

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