Lyn B. Jakeman, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Physiology and Cell Biology
Degree: University of Florida
Contact Information
403 Hamilton Hall
1645 Neil Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210
PHONE: (614) 688-4424
FAX: (614) 292-4888
E-MAIL: jakeman.1@osu.edu
Link to NLM PubMed publications list for Lyn B. Jakeman (last 10 years)
Research Area:
The failure of axons to successfully regenerate within the injured central nervous system results in permanent sensory, motor, and autonomic loss following spinal cord injury. Research in the Jakeman lab is centered on improving our understanding of the cellular response to injury and thus promoting repair and growth of injured neurons.
Current Research:
Our lab is currently pursuing 3 questions:
What distinguishes a permissive from a non-permissive environment? Axonal growth and regeneration after injury are limited by the extracellular environment surrounding a lesion site. The local environment is complex, and contains both inhibitory and permissive components produced by the cells that respond to injury. We are currently examining differences in cellular responses to injury across mouse strains using neuroanatomical and behavioral approaches in order to determine the role of non-neuronal cells in the formation of an inhibitory or permissive environment.
How can a non-permissive environment be modified to improve the extent of axonal growth after injury? We are focusing on the role of the extracellular matrix in the inhibition of axonal growth after contusion injury. During the initial stages of tissue remodeling, activated cells produce a protective extracellular matrix around the borders of a lesion that is characterized by increased expression of hydrophilic proteoglycan side chains and the absence of longitudinal permissive guidance pathways. We are currently examining the effects of therapeutic approaches that are directed at altering the proteoglycan composition surrounding the site of injury or enhancing the expression of permissive molecules such as laminins within the lesion site. These in vivo studies are directed at determining the effects of interventions on cellular migration, sprouting, plasticity and functional recovery after injury.
What is the role of guidance molecules in axonal growth after injury? Molecular components in the lesion environment exert their effects on axon growth by interacting with receptors or adhesion molecules on the injured axons. During development, these receptor-matrix interactions help to guide axons to their appropriate targets and away from inappropriate pathways. We are currently examining the role of cell adhesion molecules on the extent of axonal sprouting and regeneration after injury in adult animals by employing transgenic murine models with altered expression of cell surface receptors.
Techniques:
- In vivo experimentation using rodent models of spinal cord injury. In vitro techniques including cell and explant culture are used to supplement the in vivo approaches.
- Microsurgical
- Behavioral
- Neuroanatomical
- Transplantation and molecular approaches
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