Enhancing recovery after traumatic brain injury (TBI) by genetic and pharmacological modulation of the PTEN/Akt pathway (C06)

• Subject Area: Molecular Biology and Physiology of Neurons and Glial Cells ; Clinical Neurology; Neurosurgery and Neuroradiology ; Molecular and Cellular Neurology and Neuropathology
• Term: since 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 251293561

The PTEN tumor suppressor gene acts as a cell-growth brake. Importantly, relieving this brake through pharmacological or genetic PTEN inhibition resulted in strong axon regeneration of injured spinal cord axons. Previously, we demonstrated that such PTEN inhibition also stimulates peripheral nerve regeneration. In the current project, we analyze the impact of PTEN inhibition on regeneration after TBI, the most frequent cause of central nervous system (CNS) injury. We follow the hypotheses that i) genetic PTEN deletion in mice enhances regeneration after TBI, ii) systemic or local pharmacological PTEN inhibition accelerates post TBI recovery and iii) that the PTEN pathway is affected in human cells subjected to TBI.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1149: Danger Response, Disturbance Factors and Regenerative Potential after Acute Trauma
• Applicant Institution: Universität Ulm
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Bernd Knöll