Like growing axons that must penetrate through their environment, some cells in the body including those that infiltrate sites of damage in the CNS are highly motile and move over long distances. Specifically, we have found that this protein regulates axonal extension and mediates the motility of astrocytes. Results are expected to shed new light in areas of CNS neuronal regeneration and at the same time contribute to the development of strategies for improvement of functional recovery in patients with spinal cord injury. In a separate project, we together with industry collaborators aim to develop therapeutic agents that reduce inflammatory damage in brain and spinal cord following injury caused by such events as stroke or trauma. We use various mouse and rat models of stroke combined with quantitative imaging, biochemical and anatomical measure of ischemic injury.
Initial studies indicate efficacy of agents that target hyaluronan receptors.
241-55, Sep 1998. European Journal of Neuroscience. 2444-63, Jul 1998. Experimental Cell Research. L J. Impaired brain development and reduced astrocyte response to injury in transgenic mice expressing IGF binding protein-1.