The Balance of Id3 and E47 Determines Neural Stem/Precursor Cell Differentiation into Astrocytes Investigators showed that genetic depletion of the transcriptional regulator Id3 decreased the number of astrocytes generated from subventricular zone-derived adult neural stem/precursor cells in the cortical lesion area after traumatic brain injury. [EMBO J] Abstract | Graphical Abstract PKA Phosphorylation of NCLX Reverses Mitochondrial Calcium Overload and Depolarization, Promoting Survival of PINK1-Deficient Dopaminergic Neurons Researchers found that loss of PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) function, implicated in Parkinson disease, inhibits the mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCLX), leading to impaired mitochondrial Ca2+ extrusion. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract Transplantation of Unique Subpopulation of Fibroblasts, Muse Cells, Ameliorates Experimental Stroke Possibly via Robust Neuronal Differentiation Muse cells spontaneously and promptly committed to neural/neuronal-lineage cells when cocultured with stroke brain slices. Muse-transplanted stroke rats exhibited significant improvements in neurological and motor functions compared to control groups at chronic days 70 and 84, without a reduction in the infarct size. [Stem Cells] Abstract | Press Release PDGFR-β Plays a Key Role in the Ectopic Migration of Neuroblasts in Cerebral Stroke Scientists showed that CXCL12, a potent chemoattractant for CXCR4-expressing neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs), was upregulated in the ischemic lesion of N-PRβ-KO mice. Furthermore, integrin α3 intrinsically expressed in NSPCs that critically mediates extracellular matrix-dependent migration, was upregulated in N-PRβ-KO after middle cerebral-arterial occlusion. [Stem Cells] Abstract Crestospheres: Long-Term Maintenance of Multipotent, Premigratory Neural Crest Stem Cells Investigators report conditions that enable maintenance of neuroepithelial “crestospheres” that self-renew and retain multipotency for weeks. Moreover, under differentiation conditions, these cells can form multiple derivatives in vitro and in vivo after transplantation into chick embryos. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract Human and Murine Tissue-Engineered Colon Exhibit Diverse Neuronal Subtypes and Can Be Populated by Enteric Nervous System Progenitor Cells when Donor Colon Is Aganglionic The authors hypothesized that tissue-engineered colon (TEC) might contain a diverse population of enteric neuronal subtypes, and that aganglionic TEC can be populated by neurons and glia when supplemented with enteric nervous system progenitor cells in the form of neurospheres. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract | Press Release Microglial JAK/STAT3 Pathway Activity Directly Impacts Astrocyte and Spinal Neuron Characteristics Using an in vitro paradigm researchers assessed the impact of microglial JAK/STAT3 activity on functional characteristics of astrocytes and spinal cord neurons. [J Neurochem] Abstract Circadian Clock Genes Are Essential for Normal Adult Neurogenesis, Differentiation, and Fate Determination The authors provide insight into how cell autonomous circadian clocks and clock genes regulate adult neural stem cells with implications for treating neurodegenerative disorders and impaired brain functions by manipulating neurogenesis. [PLoS One] Full Article High Pressure Promotes Alpha-Synuclein Aggregation in Cultured Neuronal Cells Scientists investigated the effect of hydrostatic pressure on the aggregation of α-synuclein in cultured neuronal cells. They found that hydrostatic pressure is associated with a transition from monomeric to higher order α-synuclein aggregates. [FEBS Lett] Abstract |