# Homeostatic regulation of NG2 cell dynamics

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT STORRS · 2020 · $337,710

## Abstract

Project summary – Homeostatic regulation of NG2 cell dynamics
 NG2 cells represent a fourth major glial cell population in the mammalian central nervous
system that is distinct from neural stem cells, mature oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, or microglia.
They generate oligodendrocytes and hence are an important source of remyelinating cells. They
respond robustly to changes in the density of oligodendrocyte lineage cells or myelin and restore
the correct number of oligodendrocytes needed to make the correct amount of myelin in the neural
network. They are highly integrated in the neural network and interact not only among the cells in
the oligodendrocyte lineage but also with neurons and other glia. The proposed project will
investigate the mechanism of feedback signaling that maintains homeostasis of oligodendrocytes
and myelin. In Aim 1, we will test the hypothesis that microglia play a critical role in regulating
NG2 cell density under normal physiological conditions, as well as during remyelination. In Aim 2,
we will test the hypotheses that the Hippo signaling mediates NG2 cell density-dependent
proliferation and that cell adhesion molecules and exosome signaling between myelin and NG2
cells provide feedback signaling to NG2 cells that regulates oligodendrocyte differentiation. These
hypotheses are based on findings from both systems analyses and specific cellular studies. The
outcome of the study will advance our knowledge by establishing fundamental new principles
related to oligodendrocyte lineage cell intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms of homeostatic regulation
of oligodendrocytes and myelin in the context of other cellular constituents.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9873095
- **Project number:** 5R01NS073425-09
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT STORRS
- **Principal Investigator:** Akiko Nishiyama
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $337,710
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2011-06-15 → 2022-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9873095

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9873095, Homeostatic regulation of NG2 cell dynamics (5R01NS073425-09). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9873095. Licensed CC0.

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