# Elucidating the Role of Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Cells Along the Astrocyte Lineage

> **NIH NIH R01** · DREXEL UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $416,054

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The goal of this proposal is to determine whether molecularly distinct progenitor cells give rise to local
astrocyte diversity. Astrocytes are estimated to comprise up to 40% of cells in the brain and growing
evidence now shows that these cells possess diverse phenotypic and molecular characteristics.
Nevertheless, large gaps remain in our understanding of how such distinct characteristics arise. This study
focuses on the role of the molecular signaling pathway, Sonic hedgehog (Shh), which distinguishes a
population of perinatal glial progenitor cells in the forebrain. Fate mapping experiments show that these
progenitors generate half the population of cortical astrocytes, suggesting that the cortex harbors astrocytes
from multiple lineages. The precise role of Shh signaling in astrocyte development is not well understood.
This study applies molecular genetic tools together with high resolution imaging and 3D reconstruction of
single cells, together with RNASeq and bioinformatic analysis to address the role of Shh signaling in
defining lineage-specific phenotypic and molecular characteristics of astrocytes. We will first identify the
progenitor cell responsible for Shh-mediated astrocyte production and define unique characteristics of cells
within this lineage. We will then apply loss of function strategies together with RNASeq and bioinformatic
analysis to interrogate the role of Shh signaling in astrocyte development and molecular identity. Finally, we
will use a cellular ablation approach to determine the functional significance of cells derived from the Shh
lineage. This study will advance our understanding of astrocyte diversity in the brain and illuminate novel
roles for Shh signaling in cell and brain development.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10364863
- **Project number:** 2R01NS096100-06A1
- **Recipient organization:** DREXEL UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Anna Denise Resurreccion Garcia
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $416,054
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2016-04-01 → 2027-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10364863

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10364863, Elucidating the Role of Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Cells Along the Astrocyte Lineage (2R01NS096100-06A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10364863. Licensed CC0.

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