Finding new molecular targets to treat chronic spinal cord injury
Identifying Novel Molecular Targets for Chronic SCI
The team is looking at RNA signals in scar-forming spinal cord cells to find treatment targets for adults living with chronic spinal cord injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11238073 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers examined long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in astrocytes taken from adult injured spinal cords to learn which RNAs drive scar formation. They focused on a conserved lncRNA called Zeb2os and found it correlates with key scar-related genes. In animal experiments, they used harmless viruses to deliver RNA silencers that lowered Zeb2os and reduced astrocyte reactivity, scar markers, and lesion size. They also tested knockdown in cells in the lab to confirm decreased expression of scar-associated proteins, aiming to turn these findings into druggable targets.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21+) living with chronic spinal cord injury could be candidates for tissue donation or future clinical trials based on this work.
Not a fit: People without spinal cord injury or those only in the very early (acute) phase of injury are unlikely to benefit directly from this chronic-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to therapies that reduce spinal cord scarring and improve recovery for people with chronic spinal cord injury.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies have shown that changing astrocyte signaling can lessen scarring, but targeting specific lncRNAs like Zeb2os is a novel and early-stage approach.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu-Huber, Jiaqian — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Wu-Huber, Jiaqian
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.