Thursday, January 1, 2026 1/1/2026

Reprogramming reactive glial cells into functional new neurons after SCI

Award Number: R01NS111776
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/01/2020
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/28/2025

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Reprogramming reactive glial cells into functional new neurons after SCI - PROJECT SUMMARY Severe morbidity and mortality are commonly associated with spinal cord injury (SCI). Human patients who survive SCI frequently live with paralysis and extremely reduced quality of life and productivity. SCI often results in a permanent loss of neurons and the disruption of neural circuits that are critical for normal motor, sensory, and autonomic function. It is crucial to replenish the lost neurons and reconstruct the broken neural circuits for functional recovery. Unlike some other tissues or organs in the body, such as skin and liver, which can undergo self-repair through proliferation of endogenous stem or somatic cells, adult spinal cord exhibits minimal regenerative capacity. Cellular transplantation of stem cell-derived neural progenitors or differentiated neurons holds clinical potential 12-18. However, cell therapy is relatively inefficient due to the failure of these cells to survive or fully adopt a functional phenotype especially under the chronic phase of neural injury. In contrast to transplantation-based therapy, we propose to employ a novel strategy to reprogram endogenous reactive glial cells to mature neurons for functional recovery after SCI. Glial cells are abundant and ubiquitously distributed in the adult spinal cord. They become reactive, proliferate, and form glial scars in response to damage, and play critical roles in modulating tissue damage and repair after injury. Of note, scar formation and secretion of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPG) by reactive glial cells (e.g. astrocytes) are inhibitory for functional improvement. Attenuating reactive gliosis or reducing CSPG activity improves posttraumatic regeneration, whereas increasing reactive gliosis worsens brain injuries. Here we hypothesize that reprogramming reactive glial cells to neurons at the injury site will reduce local glial scar formation and enhance establishment of new neural circuit resulting in functional recovery. Using a cervical C5 dorsal hemisection model (C5 DH) and forelimb functional recovery assessments in adult mice, we will test this hypothesis with three specific aims. In Aim 1, we will determine functional integration of glia-converted neurons after the C5 DH. In Aim 2, we will determine the anatomical integration of glia-converted neurons into local neural circuitry after the C5 DH. Lastly, in Aim 3, we will determine functional roles of descending supraspinal and/or propriospinal pathways over induced neurons in promoting forelimb functional recovery after the C5 DH. The proposed strategy is expected to provide alternative neuronal subtypes that may facilitate functional recovery after SCI.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2026	2024	TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY	980 INDIANA AVE RM 2232	INDIANAPOLIS	IN	46202	MARION	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	001	5	11/18/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$588,433
2026	2024	TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY	980 INDIANA AVE RM 2232	INDIANAPOLIS	IN	46202	MARION	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	5	11/18/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$588,433
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = -$554,077 )
2025	2024	UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE	2301 S 3RD ST	LOUISVILLE	KY	40208	JEFFERSON	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	001	6	6/11/2025	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$256,620
2025	2024	TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY	980 INDIANA AVE RM 2232	INDIANAPOLIS	IN	46202	MARION	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	003	5	6/24/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$284,167
2025	2024	TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY	980 INDIANA AVE RM 2232	INDIANAPOLIS	IN	46202	MARION	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	5	6/10/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$222,264
2025	2023	TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY	980 INDIANA AVE RM 2232	INDIANAPOLIS	IN	46202	MARION	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	002	4	6/24/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$304,266
														Subtotal = -$554,077

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $506,431 )
2024	2024	TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY	980 INDIANA AVE RM 2232	INDIANAPOLIS	IN	46202	MARION	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	5	7/17/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$506,431
														Subtotal = $506,431

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $522,093 )
2023	2023	TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY	980 INDIANA AVE RM 2232	INDIANAPOLIS	IN	46202	MARION	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	001	4	8/3/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$522,093
2023	2022	TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY	980 INDIANA AVE RM 2232	INDIANAPOLIS	IN	46202	MARION	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	3	11/7/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $522,093

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $522,093 )
2022	2022	TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY	980 INDIANA AVE RM 2232	INDIANAPOLIS	IN	46202	MARION	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	3	6/27/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$522,093
														Subtotal = $522,093

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $521,980 )
2021	2021	TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY	980 INDIANA AVE RM 2232	INDIANAPOLIS	IN	46202	MARION	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	2	8/13/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$521,980
														Subtotal = $521,980

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $535,925 )
2020	2020	TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY	980 INDIANA AVE RM 2232	INDIANAPOLIS	IN	46202	MARION	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	1	7/16/2020	NEW	$535,925
														Subtotal = $535,925

Grand Total All Awards = $2,054,445

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Reprogramming reactive glial cells into functional new neurons after SCI

Award Number: R01NS111776

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/01/2020

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/28/2025

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer