# Assessing Axonal Fate, Myelination and Visual Function Recovery after New Gene Treatment

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2020 · $230,250

## Abstract

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are the only neuronal type that relays visual information
from the retina to the brain. Like other central nervous system (CNS) axons, RGC axons generally
do not regenerate following damage, presenting a major obstacle for treating patients with optic
nerve trauma or glaucoma. Previously, using optic nerve crush model, we and others have shown
that different genetic interventions induce RGC axon regeneration in adult mice. However, despite
the considerable numbers of regenerated axons, recovery of visual function has been limited or
non-existent. It is generally viewed that axon regeneration alone is not enough to restore
meaningful recovery of visual functions after axonal injury. Evidence indicates that remyelination
facilitating saltatory conduction is another key step toward attaining functional restoration.
Previously, different groups have reported the extent to which regenerated RGC axons are
myelinated in adult mice. However, the results have been variable, raising a possibility that
remyelination of RGC axons occurs only under certain conditions. Overall, it is unclear whether
there is an optimal intervention for inducing both axon regeneration and remyelination. In this
proposal, we will test a hypothesis that manipulating certain genes and treatments will permit both
axon regeneration and remyelination. In the first aim, we will determine whether regenerated RGC
axons are myelinated in the mice receiving different regenerative treatments. In the second aim, we
will determine the degree to myelination is attained with myelinating-promoting treatment. Results
obtained from these studies will provide valuable information on developing future therapies to
regenerate injured retinal axons after trauma or in diseases.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10055870
- **Project number:** 1R21EY031026-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** KEVIN Kyung PARK
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $230,250
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-08-01 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10055870

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10055870, Assessing Axonal Fate, Myelination and Visual Function Recovery after New Gene Treatment (1R21EY031026-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10055870. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*