Role of NG2-glia in different injury paradigms (A08*)

• Subject Area: Molecular Biology and Physiology of Neurons and Glial Cells
• Term: from 2019 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 251293561

We could show that acute invasive brain trauma leads to a rapid and heterogeneous NG2-glia response, not only with morphological changes but also with an increase in number. Genetic ablation of reactive NG2-glia resulted in effects on wound closure that we are currently further analyzing. We also identified a NG2-glia subset expressing GPR17, which although not differentiating under physiological conditions, after injury reacts with immediate differentiation, suggesting that these cells represent a cell reservoir responsible for brain repair. Here, we hypothesize that reactive NG2-glia are important for repair and wound closure after stab and traumatic brain injuries and that the GPR17-protein itself as well as the GPR17+ subset of NG2-glia are necessary modulators of the outcome of brain injury.

• 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: Professorin Dr. Leda Dimou