Valeria cavalli biography wustl
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Abstract
Sensory neurons with cell bodies in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) represent a useful model to study axon regeneration. Whereas regeneration and functional recovery occurs after peripheral nerve injury, spinal cord injury or dorsal root injury is not followed by regenerative outcomes. Regeneration of sensory axons in peripheral nerves is not entirely cell autonomous. Whether the DRG microenvironment influences the different regenerative capacities after injury to peripheral or central axons remains largely unknown. To answer this question, we performed a single-cell transcriptional profiling of mouse DRG in response to peripheral (sciatic nerve crush) and central axon injuries (dorsal root crush and spinal cord injury). Each cell type responded differently to the three types of injuries. All injuries increased the proportion of a cell type that shares features of both immune cells and glial cells. A distinct subset of satellite glial cells (SGC) appeared specifically in respon
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Regrowing damaged nerves hinges on shutting down key genes
News Release
Injured neurons temporarily revert to immature state
Marcus MaharMouse neurons are shown with the cell bodies in the center and long tendrils radiating outward. Valeria Cavalli, PhD, of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, used such neurons to study how cells regrow after injury. Her findings could one day lead to better treatments for spinal cord injury.
Neurons in the brain and spinal cord don’t grow back after injury, unlike those in the rest of the body. Cut your finger, and you’ll probably be back to using it in days or weeks; slice through your spinal cord, and you likely will never walk again.
Now, working in mice, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified some of the key steps taken by peripheral nerves – those in the arms and legs – as they regenerate. The findings, published the week of Dec. 10 in Proceedings of the Nat
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Valeria Cavalli, PhD
Cavalli Lab | Google Scholar Profile | Neurotree
Research
Permanent disabilities following huvud nervous struktur (CNS) injuries result from the failure of injured axons to regenerate and re-build functional connections. The poor regenerative capacity of mature CNS neurons remains a major problem in neurobiology and an unmet medical need. In contrast, axon återväxt and partial functional recovery can occur in injured peripheral nerves, providing an opportunity to identify the molecular and cellular mechanisms that control axon repair.
Research in the Cavalli laboratory focuses on elucidating the principles and mechanisms bygd which peripheral sensory neurons with fängelse body in dorsal root ganglia regenerate. The lab focusses on understanding how the epigenetic and transcriptional changes elicited in injured sensory neurons promote nervfiber regeneration. The lab also study how satellite glial cells, which envelop the neuronal soma participate in the repair proc