Motor nerves play the critical role of shunting information out of the central nervous system to targets in the periphery. Their formation requires the coordinated development of distinct cellular components, including motor axons and the glial cells that ensheathe them. During nervous system construction, these cells must migrate long distances and coordinate their differentiation, ensuring the efficient propagation of electrical information. To better understand, diagnose and treat the many degenerative disorders of the peripheral nervous system, we need to comprehend the cellular and molecular mechanisms that mediate glial interactions along developing nerves and myelin maintenance in juvenile and adult organisms. Zebrafish provide a unique opportunity to directly observe and manipulate cell populations to gain insight into how the PNS is initially established, maintained and behaves during disease. In preliminary studies, we demonstrate that perineurial cells, which form the perineurium, originate as glial cells in the ventral spinal cord, influence Schwann cell development and are essential to motor nerve development. Therefore, in Aim 1 of this project, we will investigate the hypothesis that Schwann cells and perineurial glia reciprocally interact during nerve assembly by utilizing time-lapse imaging and genetic manipulation.
In Aim 2, we will characterize two new mutant lines that have defects in perineurial glial development and identify the mutated genes responsible for the phenotypes. Identifying these genes will give us additional information about the molecular mechanisms necessary for PNS formation. Completion of these aims will greatly expand our knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that mediate peripheral nerve development, facilitating new drug therapies intended to treat peripheral neuropathies.

Public Health Relevance

One or more damaged or dysfunctional components of peripheral nerves can result in peripheral disease or injury. Although the progression of each disorder is unique, the ultimate outcome is a greatly reduced quality of life for the afflicted individual. In this project, we will identify new cellular behaviors and novel genes that are necessary for peripheral nerve assembly and maintenance.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS072212-04
Application #
8529634
Study Section
Cellular and Molecular Biology of Glia Study Section (CMBG)
Program Officer
Morris, Jill A
Project Start
2010-09-01
Project End
2015-07-31
Budget Start
2013-08-01
Budget End
2014-07-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$315,445
Indirect Cost
$108,573
Name
University of Virginia
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
065391526
City
Charlottesville
State
VA
Country
United States
Zip Code
22904
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Welsh, Taylor G; Kucenas, Sarah (2018) Purinergic signaling in oligodendrocyte development and function. J Neurochem 145:6-18
Morris, Angela D; Erisir, Alev; Criswell, Stacey J et al. (2017) Transmission electron microscopy of zebrafish spinal motor nerve roots. Dev Dyn 246:956-962
Smith, Cody J; Wheeler, Michael A; Marjoram, Lindsay et al. (2017) TNFa/TNFR2 signaling is required for glial ensheathment at the dorsal root entry zone. PLoS Genet 13:e1006712
Morris, Angela D; Lewis, Gwendolyn M; Kucenas, Sarah (2017) Perineurial Glial Plasticity and the Role of TGF-? in the Development of the Blood-Nerve Barrier. J Neurosci 37:4790-4807
Fontenas, Laura; Kucenas, Sarah (2017) Livin' On The Edge: glia shape nervous system transition zones. Curr Opin Neurobiol 47:44-51
Johnson, Kimberly; Barragan, Jessica; Bashiruddin, Sarah et al. (2016) Gfap-positive radial glial cells are an essential progenitor population for later-born neurons and glia in the zebrafish spinal cord. Glia 64:1170-89
Wheeler, Michael A; Smith, Cody J; Ottolini, Matteo et al. (2016) Genetically targeted magnetic control of the nervous system. Nat Neurosci 19:756-761
Smith, Cody J; Johnson, Kimberly; Welsh, Taylor G et al. (2016) Radial glia inhibit peripheral glial infiltration into the spinal cord at motor exit point transition zones. Glia 64:1138-53
Kucenas, Sarah (2015) Adventures in wonderland. PLoS Genet 11:e1005086

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