Mitochondrial Function, microRNA (miRNA) Activity and Cell Death in Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injury-
The goal of our research is to limit cell loss and the resulting neurological deficits following CNS injury by targeting steps occurring early in the cell death process. Recently, we have focused our efforts on identifying the mitochondrial events responsible for regulating cell survival and death. Our current studies have revealed a novel role for mitochondria in the regulation of cellular miRNA activity. In particular, we have observed that traumatic brain injury results in a compartmental shift of miRNAs regulating inflammation and in particular, macrophage phenotype. One such miRNA is miR-146a, which targets TRAF6 and IRAK1 and down-regulates markers of the pro-inflammatory macrophage phenotype while facilitating expression of the anti-inflammatory phenotype. We are currently investigating nanocarrier-based cell delivery strategies to introduce inflammatory-related miRNA mimics/inhibitors to the injured brain as a way of targeting pro-inflammatory signaling and prompting reparative macrophage expression. These novel studies are being conducted by Wangxia Wang, Paresh Prajapati, Steven Pesina, and Urim Gelleta in collaboration with Pat Sullivan, John Gensel, and Vincent Venditto.

Wang-Xia Wang, Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor

Paresh Prajapati, Ph.D., Lab Manager, Postdoctoral Scholar

Steven Pesina, Lab Tech, B.S. Chemistry

Urim Geleta, Neuroscience/Psychology major