Session 2G: Mechanisms Leading to Perinatal Brain Injury Using miR21
Session Number
Session 2G: 2nd Presentation
Advisor(s)
Dr. Maria Dizon, Northwestern University
Location
Room A115
Start Date
26-4-2018 10:35 AM
End Date
26-4-2018 11:20 AM
Abstract
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability among children. A major contributor to this disease is hypoxia-ischemia (HI), characterized by deprivation of oxygen to the brain, usually caused by premature birth. HI can have detrimental effects on oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs), which are crucial to white matter development. Improper development of OPCs during gestation may lead to white matter injuries that potentially manifest as diseases such as CP. A group of molecules called microRNAs (miR) act as potent regulators of gene expression. From past In vivo studies, mir-138, miR-338, and miR-21 have been found to be perturbed in brain as a result of HI. The goal of our project is to determine whether miR-21 regulates the Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) signaling pathway in order to gain insight on mechanisms leading to perinatal brain injury. In vitro techniques to cultivate OPCs, microglia and astrocytes in both normoxia and hypoxia will be used to study changes in miR-21, BMPR1a, BMPR1b, and BMPR2. Results from this study will yield previously unknown information regarding miR regulation of gene expression in perinatal HI. If successful, experiments may provide biomarkers for earlier diagnosis and better treatment for preterm neonates at high risk for CP.
Session 2G: Mechanisms Leading to Perinatal Brain Injury Using miR21
Room A115
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability among children. A major contributor to this disease is hypoxia-ischemia (HI), characterized by deprivation of oxygen to the brain, usually caused by premature birth. HI can have detrimental effects on oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs), which are crucial to white matter development. Improper development of OPCs during gestation may lead to white matter injuries that potentially manifest as diseases such as CP. A group of molecules called microRNAs (miR) act as potent regulators of gene expression. From past In vivo studies, mir-138, miR-338, and miR-21 have been found to be perturbed in brain as a result of HI. The goal of our project is to determine whether miR-21 regulates the Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) signaling pathway in order to gain insight on mechanisms leading to perinatal brain injury. In vitro techniques to cultivate OPCs, microglia and astrocytes in both normoxia and hypoxia will be used to study changes in miR-21, BMPR1a, BMPR1b, and BMPR2. Results from this study will yield previously unknown information regarding miR regulation of gene expression in perinatal HI. If successful, experiments may provide biomarkers for earlier diagnosis and better treatment for preterm neonates at high risk for CP.