Yingjie Kang

Research

Investigation of Neuritin Effects in Traumatic Brain Injury

  • #TBI
  • #Sensorimotor Behavior
  • #molecular docking
  • #miRNA
  • #Neuroplasticity
A clean view of a mouse brain specimen with focal injury beside laboratory micropipettes and an alcohol lamp.
Neuritin project laboratory setup and representative brain specimen.

Overview

In this project, I investigated how Neuritin affects sensorimotor behavior, learning and memory after traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Background

Neuritin, also known as CPG15, is an activity-regulated protein involved in neuronal growth and plasticity. It supports the growth and branching of neuronal processes and helps synapses mature and remain stable.

In a study of mice lacking CPG15, researchers found delayed development of axonal and dendritic branches, reduced synapse stability and slower learning.

Approach

In rodent TBI models, I used beam-walking and grip-strength tests to assess balance, coordination and strength. Spatial learning and memory were assessed with the Morris water maze.

Behavioral assessment

Beam-walking apparatus: a mouse crossing a narrow elevated beam toward a shelter.

Beam walking

Observe

Traversal of a narrow beam

Assess

Balance and coordination

Grip-strength meter: a mouse grasping a bar connected to a force transducer during a horizontal pull.

Grip-strength test

Measure

Force exerted while gripping

Assess

Grip strength

Morris water maze: a circular pool with a submerged platform and external visual cues.

Morris water maze

Observe

Navigation to a hidden platform

Assess

Spatial learning and memory

Schematic overview of the behavioral tests. Methods: beam walking, grip strength, and Morris water maze.

The project also included experiments with primary neurons and microglia. I analyzed transcriptomic data and predicted miRNA targets to investigate potential regulation of Neuritin, and used molecular docking to explore possible interactions.

Selected results

Differential mRNA and miRNA expression in TBI

TBI versus control comparisons. Panel A: 135 upregulated and 130 downregulated mRNAs. Panel B: 100 upregulated and 3 downregulated miRNAs.
Numbers of differentially expressed mRNAs (A) and miRNAs (B) in TBI versus control comparisons. Dark purple denotes upregulation and lavender denotes downregulation.
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Functional enrichment of Neuritin-associated genes

Enrichment summary for Neuritin-associated genes. GO terms include chemical synaptic transmission, chromatin organization, glutamate binding and neuronal cell body. The KEGG pathway shown is glutamatergic synapse.
Selected Gene Ontology (GO) terms and the KEGG glutamatergic synapse pathway enriched among Neuritin-associated genes. GO terms are grouped into biological process, molecular function and cellular component categories.
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Manuscript

The first manuscript from this project, The perspective of miRNA regulation of Neuritin in traumatic brain injury, is under review at Neurochemical Research.

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