# Influence of thalamic IL-33 signaling in aging-associated exacerbation of cognitive impairment after brain injury via microglial dysfunction and tau pathology

> **NIH NIH RF1** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 2024 · $69,185

## Abstract

Abstract
This supplementary award aims to provide extensive research training in neuroimmunology for a gap-year
researcher. The proposed project explores the complex landscape of age-associated neutrophil alterations in
the brain after cortical brain injuries and clarifies their unique contributions to neuroinflammation and cognitive
effects. This investigation focuses on understanding the role of aging-associated neutrophil subpopulations
post-injury within the thalamus, leveraging single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from our parental
R01 award. We aim to identify specific age-associated indicators within the brain using refined analysis
techniques and advanced clustering algorithms. Validation of the presence and activation status of these
markers in the injured brain will be pursued through immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry, providing
crucial insights into the nuanced age-specific neutrophil responses. We aim to elucidate the intricate interplay
between age-specific neutrophil subpopulations, their activation dynamics, and the evolving neuroinflammatory
and cognitive consequences following traumatic brain injury. We will also examine how neuroinflammation and
cognitive recovery after injuries are affected by age-associated neutrophil suppression. We will use methods
established in our parental R01, particularly antibody-based cell depletion, to assess the impact of age-
associated neutrophil infiltration on neuroinflammatory markers, microglial activation, and cognitive recovery
after injuries. These studies will be conducted in parallel to hands-on experiments and data analysis training,
which will enhance the researcher’s skills and prepare the researcher for graduate studies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11040248
- **Project number:** 3RF1AG079129-01S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **Principal Investigator:** Shinichi Kano
- **Activity code:** RF1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $69,185
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2022-09-15 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11040248

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11040248, Influence of thalamic IL-33 signaling in aging-associated exacerbation of cognitive impairment after brain injury via microglial dysfunction and tau pathology (3RF1AG079129-01S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11040248. Licensed CC0.

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