A novel role for Sema3A in neuroprotection from injury mediated by activated microglia.

Microglia exist under physiological conditions in a resting state but become activated after neuronal injury. Recent studies have highlighted the reciprocal role of neurons in controlling both the number and activity of microglia. In this study, microglia derived from newborn rat cortices were cultured and activated by interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) treatment, then exposed to recombinant Sema3A or conditioned medium derived from stressed embryonic cortical neurons.

Efficient generation of neural precursors from adult human skin: astrocytes promote neurogenesis from skin-derived stem cells.

Background: Neural stem cells are a potential source of cells for drug screening or cell-based treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. However, ethical and practical considerations limit the availability of neural stem cells derived from human embryonic tissue. An alternative source of human neural stem cells is needed; a source that is readily accessible, easily expanded, and reliably induced to a neural fate.

Oligodendrocytes promote neuronal survival and axonal length by distinct intracellular mechanisms: a novel role for oligodendrocyte-derived glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor.

Interactions of CNS cells lead to the establishment of complex neural systems. Specifically, oligodendrocytes form myelin sheaths around axons that enable rapid electrical conduction of impulses. Recent evidence has emerged that oligodendrocytes may also release trophic factors promoting neuronal survival.