How certain support cells in damaged white matter control cleanup and repair
Interrogating a white matter degeneration-specific astrocyte reactivity state and its role in governing repair-associated microglia specification and function.
This project looks at how a specific type of brain support cell (astrocytes) helps immune cells clear debris and promote repair after white-matter damage seen in stroke, traumatic injury, and multiple sclerosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11263623 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use mouse models of acute and chronic white-matter damage to mimic conditions like stroke, traumatic CNS injury, and multiple sclerosis. They will selectively disrupt a newly identified astrocyte program using genetic tools to see how that changes microglia behavior and debris clearance. Single-nucleus RNA sequencing and ATAC-seq will map the molecular signals exchanged between astrocytes and microglia. The goal is to define the pathways that support removal of inflammatory myelin debris and tissue repair.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with white-matter diseases or injuries—such as multiple sclerosis, recent ischemic stroke affecting white matter, or traumatic CNS injury—are the populations most likely to benefit from therapies derived from this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions primarily affect gray matter or non-degenerative disorders are unlikely to get direct benefit from the mechanisms targeted by this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to boost debris clearance and promote recovery in people with white-matter injury from MS, stroke, or trauma.
How similar studies have performed: Previous preclinical work manipulating glial cells has shown promise for improving repair, but this specific astrocyte-to-microglia signaling pathway is newly described and largely untested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Burda, Joshua Evan — Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Burda, Joshua Evan
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.