# The role of arteriogenesis on structural and functional neurovascular recovery after cerebral stroke

> **NIH NIH R21** · J. DAVID GLADSTONE INSTITUTES · 2021 · $90,342

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Cerebral stroke leads to long-term disability, yet post-stroke treatment remains primarily limited to rehabilitation.
The partial functional recovery that does occur is due in part to neurovascular plasticity of the brain region
adjacent to stroke damage—the peri-stroke penumbra. However, attempts to manipulate the neurovasculature
post-stroke by promoting angiogenesis—sprouting of new capillary vessels—have not been successful, in part
because angiogenesis can lead to tortuous, leaky vessels that do not increase blood flow. Alternatively,
arteriogenesis—the generation of large-bore vessels in response to shear stress—could play an important role
in post-stroke recovery and represent a novel therapeutic target. However, the lack of tools to specifically
manipulate arteriogenesis has hampered efforts to test this hypothesis. We identified Dach1, an endothelial
transcription factor, as a specific driver of arteriogenesis. Here, we will use new mouse models that allow us to
bi-directionally control Dach1 levels in endothelial cells, to determine to what extent arteriogenesis is involved in
post-stroke recovery of brain functions. Specifically, we will examine the links between arteriogenesis and post-
stroke recovery of the vascular network (Aim 1), neurovascular coupling (Aim 2), and behavior (Aim 3).
Our long-term goal is to understand the mechanisms of adaptive post-stroke neurovascular plasticity to develop
new treatments and improve brain health. Funding of this proposal will enable an unbiased study of the brain
following stroke with unprecedented temporal and spatial resolution in freely behaving animals, identify the
specific role of arteriogenesis in post-stroke recovery, and may unveil new therapeutic targets that enhance the
therapeutic window of post-stroke rehabilitation, which is a key limiting factor in treating stroke patients.
This diversity supplement grant will significantly enhance the research potential of Ms. Zanib Naeem, and make
her competitive for top-tier biomedical science PhD and MD/PhD programs. Ms. Naeem will be involved in a
team project that focuses on the neurobiology of stroke, and gain expertise in mouse behavioral assays, in vivo
electrophysiology and imaging, and data analysis. She will also participate in the Post-Bac Program for Equity
and Learning (PROPEL) curriculum activities, on which the PI (Jeanne Paz) serves as a mentor. Through the
Propel program, Ms. Naeem will both participate in biomedical seminars and have access to career development
opportunities, such as grant writing workshops and mock interviews.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10406125
- **Project number:** 3R21NS118379-01S1
- **Recipient organization:** J. DAVID GLADSTONE INSTITUTES
- **Principal Investigator:** Jeanne T Paz
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $90,342
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2021-07-01 → 2022-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10406125

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10406125, The role of arteriogenesis on structural and functional neurovascular recovery after cerebral stroke (3R21NS118379-01S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10406125. Licensed CC0.

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