Central nervous system (CNS) injury and/or degeneration triggers numerous changes in gene expression, signaling and cellular interactions that result in permanent changes in tissue architecture and CNS function. Astrocytes respond to injury in a process referred to as reactive astrogliosis that includes both beneficial and ultimatey harmful functions. Cyclic-AMP (cAMP) has been demonstrated to play a significant role in regulating astrocyte physiology both during development and in response to injury. Recently, soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC), a unique bicarbonate- and calcium-activated source of cAMP, was shown to play a role in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival and axon growth. In astrocytes, sAC-mediated signaling underlies a major metabolic pathway that provides energy to neurons during ischemic-like conditions. Our and others' data suggest that sAC signaling in astrocytes is necessary for retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival and perhaps for regeneration after optic nerve injury. Based on our preliminary data, I hypothesize that astrocyte sAC is required for RGC survival and neurite patterning during development, and that sAC activity in astrocytes promotes RGCs survival and regeneration after optic nerve injury. To address this hypothesis, I will determine the levels of sAC expression in astrocytes during development and after ONC injury by immunofluorescence. To investigate astrocyte sAC in retinal development and reactive astrogliosis, I will use a floxed sAC allele to conditionally knock-out sAC in astrocytes at differnt developmental time points and after optic nerve injury to specifically measure the effect of astrocyte sAC on RGCs. The overall goal of this study is to better understand how astrocyte sAC influences reactive astrogliosis and neuronal survival and regeneration, highlighting it as a potential therapeutic target.

Public Health Relevance

Central nervous system insult triggers a cascade of cellular and molecular events that are both neuroprotective and deleterious. The goal of this project is to investigate how soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) signaling in reactive astrocytes influences neuronal survival and regeneration after CNS injury. Ultimately, these studies may lead to new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases and/or injuries.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
7F32EY025915-02
Application #
9134927
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Agarwal, Neeraj
Project Start
2015-12-01
Project End
2018-11-30
Budget Start
2015-12-01
Budget End
2016-11-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Stanford University
Department
Ophthalmology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
009214214
City
Stanford
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94304
Cameron, Evan G; Kapiloff, Michael S (2017) Intracellular compartmentation of cAMP promotes neuroprotection and regeneration of CNS neurons. Neural Regen Res 12:201-202
Cameron, Evan G; Goldberg, Jeffrey L (2016) NEUROREGENERATION. Promoting CNS repair. Science 353:30-1