Objective Nerve repair depends critically on injury-induced Schwann cell dedifferentiation, an adaptive injury response that generates the denervated Schwann cell, a cell that enables peripheral nerves, unlike CNS tissue, to regenerate after injury. The transcriptional programmes that control the generation of the denervated repair cells are therefore an important issue in nerve biology.The host laboratory has recently defined the concept of negative regulation of myelination, implicated two transcriptional regulators, c-Jun and Notch, in the control of dedifferentiation and the formation of the denervated cell, and shown that Schwann cell c-Jun has an essential role in controlling nerve regeneration.In peripheral nerves, the Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) is rapidly activated at the injury site following nerve transection, but the function of this factor in nerve injury has not been investigated. Perhaps the best known function of STAT3 is the positive regulation of cellular survival, a function that in many cell types is mediated by its ability to up-regulate the gene expression of Bcl-xL and Bcl-2, anti-apoptotic factors. Mechanisms that ensure the sufficient Schwann cell survival in injured nerves are critical for nerve repair.Thus, the present project will explore additional control systems in injured nerves and in particular whether STAT3 signalling in Schwann cells is an important mediator of the adaptive injury response of these cells in damaged nerves. Our key aims are to test whether STAT3 is required for the survival of denervated Schwann cells, the formation of the Schwann cell columns (bands of Bungner) that serve as substrates for regenerating axons and the remyelination of regenerated axons. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologyengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringcontrol systems Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IEF - Marie-Curie Action: "Intra-European fellowships for career development" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IEF See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Coordinator UCL Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women’s Health Address Gower street WC1E 6BT London United Kingdom See on map Region London Inner London — West Camden and City of London Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Greta Borg-Carbott (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution No data
