# The role of caveolin-1 on anesthetic-mediated neurotoxicity

> **NIH NIH K08** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2021 · $204,120

## Abstract

Abstract
 Dr. Matthew Pearn has established himself as a promising researcher in the field of anesthetic-mediated
neurotoxicity and axonal transport. He has secured and completed a two year FAER grant, investigating the
role of RhoGTPase signaling, growth cone (GC) collapse, and axonal transport on anesthetic related
neurotoxicity. This NIH K08 proposal extends his research, investigating the role of caveolin-1 (Cav1) on
anesthetic-mediated neurotoxicity. The K08 Award will provide Dr. Pearn with the funding and protected time
needed to accomplish the following goals: (1) to become an expert in the study of Cav1 biology, (2) to further
advance his scientific writing and increase the volume of first author manuscripts, (3) to learn lab management
and leadership skills, (4) to successfully acquire independent funding, and (5) to develop into a independent
clinician-scientist. To accomplish these goals, Dr. Pearn has assembled a mentoring team comprised of Dr.
Hemal Patel and Dr. Piyush Patel.
 Growth cone collapse and axonal transport is recognized as being critical for neuronal development
and cognition. Both GC morphology and axonal transport are influenced by actin dynamics, which it turn are
influenced by RhoGTPase signaling. Dr. Pearn has shown that neonatal neurons exposed to propofol (PPF)
have increased RhoA activation relative to Rac1/Cdc42, along with GC collapse, impaired axonal transport,
altered neuronal circuits, and cognitive deficits. Balancing RhoGTPase activity using a pharmacologic inhibitor
of RhoA activation (i.e. TAT-C3) prior to propofol exposure ameliorates neurotoxicity. What is it about mature
neurons that makes them less susceptible to neurotoxicity? Caveolin-1 is a membrane scaffolding protein that
regulates and balances RhoGTPase signaling. Caveolin-1 expression increases with neuronal maturation. Dr.
Pearn's K08 preliminary data suggests Cav1 plays a critical role in susceptibility to anesthetic-mediated
neurotoxicity. When neonatal neurons are transfected with a viral vector to increase Cav1 expression, there is
protection against PPF mediate alterations in RhoGTPase signaling, GC collapse, and axonal transport. Dr.
Pearn will explore how Cav1 regulates RhoGTPase signaling in the presence of PPF (AIM 1). Furthermore, he
will explore how Cav1 expression influences GC morphology and axonal transport (AIM 2), along with neuronal
circuit connectivity and cognition (AIM 3). These findings may reveal how Cav1 protects against toxicity. As
such, will identify potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers that predict susceptibility to anesthetic-mediated
neurotoxicity.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10136633
- **Project number:** 5K08GM124500-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** MATTHEW L PEARN
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $204,120
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-05-01 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10136633

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10136633, The role of caveolin-1 on anesthetic-mediated neurotoxicity (5K08GM124500-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10136633. Licensed CC0.

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