Neural Cell News Volume 9.39 | Oct 14 2015

Directly Reprogrammed Human Neurons Retain Aging-Associated Transcriptomic Signatures and Reveal Age-Related Nucleocytoplasmic Defects
Scientists generated neurons from human donors across a broad range of ages, either by iPSC-based reprogramming and differentiation or by direct conversion into induced neurons (iNs). While iPSCs and derived neurons did not retain aging-associated gene signatures, iNs displayed age-specific transcriptional profiles and revealed age-associated decreases in the nuclear transport receptor RanBP17. [Cell Stem Cell]
Abstract | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

Adult Neural Stem Cells from the Subventricular Zone Give Rise to Reactive Astrocytes in the Cortex after Stroke
Using genetic tagging, scientists determined that subventricular zone neural stem cells give rise to neurospheres derived from the stroke-injured cortex. They demonstrated that these cells can be isolated from the cortex in two different models of stroke and from different stroke-lesioned cortical regions. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

EGFR Mutation Promotes Glioblastoma through Epigenome and Transcription Factor Network Remodeling
Through integrated epigenome and transcriptome analyses of cell lines, genotyped clinical samples, and TCGA data, the authors showed that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations remodel the activated enhancer landscape of glioblastoma, promoting tumorigenesis through a SOX9 and FOXG1-dependent transcriptional regulatory network in vitro and in vivo. [Mol Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

Regulation of Oligodendrocyte Precursor Maintenance by Chondroitin Sulphate Glycosaminoglycans
Investigators showed that chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycans (CS-GAGs) detected by the monoclonal antibody 473HD are expressed by primary rat NG2-positive oligodendrocyte precursor cells and O4-positive immature oligodendrocytes. CS-GAGs become down-regulated with ongoing oligodendrocyte differentiation. [Glia] Abstract

Generation of Three-Dimensional Multiple Spheroid Model of Olfactory Ensheathing Cells Using Floating Liquid Marbles
Researchers exploited the floating liquid marble, a liquid droplet coated with hydrophobic powder and placed on a liquid bath. Floating liquid marbles allowed olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) to freely associate and interact to produce OEC spheroids with uniform shapes and sizes. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Synergy of Endothelial and Neural Progenitor Cells from Adipose-Derived Stem Cells to Preserve Neurovascular Structures in Rat Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury
Scientists differentiated adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) toward the progenitor of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and neural precursor cells (NPCs) via microenvironmental induction and investigated the protective effect by transplanting ASCs, EPCs, NPCs, or a combination of EPCs and NPCs into neonatal hypoxic-ischemic injured rat pups. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Beclin-1 Deficiency Alters Autophagosome Formation, Lysosome Biogenesis and Enhances Neuronal Vulnerability of HT22 Hippocampal Cells
Researchers examined the potential role of Beclin-1 in an autophagic response in hippocampal HT22 neurons challenged with rapamycin, investigated the expression of several gene products involved in the autophagic pathway, and checked the effects of Beclin-1 knockdown on neuronal death induced by AAS. [Mol Neurobiol] Abstract

Protective Effects of Isolecanoric Acid on Neurodegenerative In Vitro Models
Using two different molecular models, treatment with L-BMAA for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and rotenone for Parkinson´s disease, the effect of isolecanoric acid, a natural product isolated from a fungal culture, was evaluated. Pre-treatment with this molecule caused inhibition of GSK3β and CK1, and a decrease in oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, apoptosis and cell death. [Neuropharmacology] Abstract

SARM1, Not MyD88, Mediates TLR7/TLR9-Induced Apoptosis in Neurons
The authors identified the mechanism responsible for TLR7/TLR9-mediated neuronal apoptosis. TLR-induced apoptosis required endosomal localization of TLRs but was independent of MyD88 signaling. Instead, apoptosis required the TLR adaptor molecule SARM1, which localized to the mitochondria following TLR activation and was associated with mitochondrial accumulation in neurites. [J Immunol] Abstract | Press Release

Adenoviral Vector Carrying Glial Cell-Derived Neurotrophic Factor for Direct Gene Therapy in Comparison with Human Umbilical Cord Blood Cell-Mediated Therapy of Spinal Cord Injury in Rat
Investigators examined the efficacy of glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) delivered using an adenoviral vector (AdV-GDNF) and human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (UCB-MCs)+AdV-GDNF therapy by conducting behavioral tests on the animals and morphometric studies on the spinal cord, performing immunofluorescence analyses on glial cells, investigating the survival and migration potential of UCB-MCs, and evaluating the expression of the recombinant GDNF gene. [Spinal Cord] Abstract | Press Release

Astrocytes, Therapeutic Targets for Neuroprotection and Neurorestoration in Ischemic Stroke
The authors discuss functions of astrocytes and astrocyte-mediated events during stroke and recovery. They provide an overview of approaches on how to reduce the detrimental effects and amplify the beneficial effects of astrocytes on neuroprotection and on neurorestoration post stroke, which may lead to novel and clinically relevant therapies for stroke. [Prog Neurobiol] Abstract

Purinergic Receptors in Embryonic and Adult Neurogenesis
The authors discuss the available data on purinergic P2 receptor expression and function during brain development and in the neurogenic zones of the adult brain, as well as the insights based on the use of in vitro stem cell cultures. [Neuropharmacology] Abstract

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Genentech’s Ocrelizumab First Investigational Medicine to Show Positive Pivotal Study Results in Both Relapsing and Primary Progressive Forms of Multiple Sclerosis
Genentech announced data from three positive, pivotal Phase III studies of ocrelizumab in people with relapsing multiple sclerosis and primary progressive multiple sclerosis. [Press release from Genentech, Inc. discussing research presented at the 31^st Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS), Barcelona] Press Release

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Cancer Research UK Launches £100 Million Grand Challenges to Tackle the Most Important Questions in Cancer
Cancer Research UK has launched Grand Challenges – the biggest and most ambitious cancer grants in the world – which aim to overcome the greatest barriers standing in the way of beating cancer. The £100 million investment will revolutionize how we diagnose, prevent and treat cancer by uniting teams of the best scientists around the world to come up with answers to crucial questions about how to save more lives from cancer. [Cancer Research UK] Press Release

Ed Boyden and Nachum Ulanovsky Receive Young Investigator Award
The Society for Neuroscience will present the Young Investigator Award to Ed Boyden, PhD, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Nachum Ulanovksy, PhD, of the Weizmann Institute of Science. [The Society for Neuroscience (EurekAlert!)] Press Release

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Research Associate – Drug Discovery (The Lieber Institute for Brain Development)

Faculty Position – Astrocyte Biology (Mayo Clinic)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Neuroscience (University of Oxford)

Assistant/Associate/Full Professor – Biomedical Engineering (Worcester Polytechnic Institute)

Faculty Position – Neuroscience (RIKEN Brain Science Institute)

Early Stage Researcher – Neuroscience (Universität Bern)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Epigenetic Modifiers (Van Andel Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Position – Brain Tumor Research (Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre)

Postdoctoral Position – Spinal Cord Injury Research (Indiana University-Purdue University)

Postdoctoral Position – Neuroimmunology (Brain and Spine Institute)

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