# Understanding cell chirality and cell-cell interactions at neurovascular unit after brain injury

> **NIH NIH R15** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT DEARBORN · 2024 · $465,752

## Abstract

Project summary/abstract
The neurovascular unit (NVU) is responsible for the maintenance of blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity,
cerebral homeostasis, and control of cerebral blood flow. Evidence indicates that traumatic brain injury (TBI)
alters the NVU functions and impairs the integrity of BBB; however, the mechanism is still poorly understood.
Cells have been discovered to possess phenotype-dependent intrinsic chirality, which not only reflects cellular
behaviors but also influences tissue/organ morphogenesis and physiological functions. The goal of this
proposal is to evaluate the TBI-induced changes in cell chirality and cell-cell interactions of microglia, neurons,
and brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) within the NVU. We use a pre-established TBI animal
model, combined with novel biological and engineering techniques, to complete the aims of the proposed
project. Aim 1 determines the chirality, polarization, and organelles positioning of microglia and neurons, as
well as the physical interactions between microglia and neurons after TBI. Aim 2 examines the TBI-induced
changes in the chirality of BMECs and the interaction between microglia and BMECs. Results obtained from
this project will reveal the relationship between cell chirality and cell-cell interactions of microglia, neurons, and
BMECs within the NVU. Thus, the accomplishment of this project will provide novel knowledge on cell chirality
regulation and mechanisms of NVU function, which will further set the foundation for developing cell-specific
therapeutics that can be translated to various neurological disorders.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10973503
- **Project number:** 1R15NS139138-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT DEARBORN
- **Principal Investigator:** Zhi Zhang
- **Activity code:** R15 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $465,752
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-01 → 2027-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10973503

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10973503, Understanding cell chirality and cell-cell interactions at neurovascular unit after brain injury (1R15NS139138-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10973503. Licensed CC0.

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