# Targeting lipid clearance pathways to promote repair after SCI

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2020 · $481,767

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
After spinal cord injury (SCI), the injury site is filled with cellular debris, especially myelin debris that creates a
very unique lipid-dense environment. Macrophages are the predominant phagocyte that are responsible for
debris-clearance, but this process is not only inefficient, it is also maladaptive. The excessive amount of myelin
debris present at the injury site leads to formation lipid-laden macrophages (a.k.a. foamy macrophages) that
become pro-inflammatory and contribute to tissue regeneration failure. In addition to macrophages, microglia
and fibroblasts also become foam cells. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of myelin debris uptake and
catabolism after SCI may lead to novel therapeutic targets to promote repair after SCI. In this application, we
will investigate the mechanism of myelin debris uptake as well as the export of its catabolic byproduct in
macrophages, microglia, and fibroblasts after SCI. In addition, we will test the therapeutic potential of novel
nanoparticles that can target the uptake and efflux mechanisms.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9979952
- **Project number:** 5R01NS081040-08
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Jae K Lee
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $481,767
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2012-09-01 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9979952

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9979952, Targeting lipid clearance pathways to promote repair after SCI (5R01NS081040-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9979952. Licensed CC0.

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