Myelination of axons in the nervous system is critical for not only conduction of action potentials, but also for providing tropic support to ensure long term survival of neurons in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. Myelin disorders are a major cause of neurological disease, and can be caused by genetic disorders, infectious disease, and inflammation. Therefore, understanding the pathways that control gene expression patterns in myelinating cells is a critical step in not only elucidating developmental pathways, but also to provide insight into means by which remyelination after nerve injury can be accelerated. The peripheral nervous system has substantial plasticity in being able to regenerate after nerve injury, and critical transcription factors and their target gene networks have begun to be elucidated. Interestingly, recent studies have demonstrated that Schwann cell reprogramming to a new differentiated state is a critical and rate limiting factor in peripheral nerve regeneration. Although substantial progress has been made to identify gene expression changes that occur after injury, there have been relatively few studies examining the chromatin modifications required for Schwann cell reprogramming to the injured state. The long term objective of our laboratory is to elucidate an integrated mechanism of Schwann cell reprogramming after nerve injury based on critical microRNA and epigenomic switches that we have identified. Specifically, this proposal focuses on testing how reversal of the polycomb pathway is required for Schwann cell responses to peripheral nerve injury. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses will focus on epigenetic changes that occur during nerve injury, and test for the first time the involvement of histone demethylases in nerve injury responses. Finally, this proposal also takes advantage of several unique aspects of peripheral nerve, which facilitate the epigenomic analysis that we have proposed here.

Public Health Relevance

Formation of the myelin sheath that insulates nerves is critical for nervous system development and for recovery of the nervous system from injury. This proposal will characterize epigenomic switches required for reprogramming Schwann cells after peripheral nerve injury. The proposed analysis of the polycomb repression will determine how epigenomic regulation is required for regenerative responses to peripheral nerve injury.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01NS100510-01A1
Application #
9396615
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Jakeman, Lyn B
Project Start
2017-07-01
Project End
2022-06-30
Budget Start
2017-07-01
Budget End
2018-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Wisconsin Madison
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Veterinary Medicine
DUNS #
161202122
City
Madison
State
WI
Country
United States
Zip Code
53715
Lin, Hsin-Pin; Oksuz, Idil; Svaren, John et al. (2018) Egr2-dependent microRNA-138 is dispensable for peripheral nerve myelination. Sci Rep 8:3817
Ma, Ki H; Duong, Phu; Moran, John J et al. (2018) Polycomb repression regulates Schwann cell proliferation and axon regeneration after nerve injury. Glia 66:2487-2502