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Steven G. Kernie, M.D.
Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology
Integrative Biology
Office: (214) 648-4183
Fax: (214) 648-1960
Building ND, Room 5.124A
Email: Steven.Kernie@UTSouthwestern.edu
The presence of adult neural stem and progenitor cells in the mammalian brain has awakened new interest and optimism in potential treatment for a variety of acquired brain disorders. It is, however, unclear what role, if any, adult neural stem cells play in contributing to post-injury recovery. We are interested in defining how adult neural stem and progenitor cells participate in injury-induced remodeling and in identifying genes that might be important in augmenting their contribution.
The hippocampus is central to the formation of memory and has recently been implicated in higher cognitive functioning as well. In all mammals, the one area of the hippocampus that has constant neuronal turnover due to a persistent population of neural stem and progenitor cells is the dentate gyrus. The dentate gyrus functions to integrate cortical input and transmit this to other areas of the hippocampus. We study how the dentate gyrus develops and responds to injury such as trauma and hypoxia at varying ages.
In order to do this, we have taken a genetic approach in mice that allows us to trace stem and progenitor cells within the hippocampus and gives us the ability to perform temporally specified genetic changes. We have developed a variety of tools to do this including tetracycline, tamoxifen, and ganciclovir-based systems that allow for fate labeling, progenitor ablation, and temporally and spatially regulated genetic deletions. Moreover, the addition of eGFP in these models allows us to quantify the number of adult neural stem cells during development and activated by injury by utilizing fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS). These models make up the foundation to our lab’s approach of understanding how neural stem and progenitor cells may contribute to recovery following acquired brain injury.
Awards & Honors
Elected Member, 2005. Society for Pediatric Research
Annual Scientific Award, 2003. Society for Critical Care Medicine 32nd Annual Congress.
Young Investigator Fellow Award, 2002. Society for Critical Care Medicine 31st Annual Congress.
President’s Research Council Distinguished Young Researcher Award, 2000. The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.
Selected References
Miles, D.K. and Kernie, S.G. Hypoxic-ischemic injury activates early hippocampal stem/progenitor cells to replace vulnerable neuroblasts. Hippocampus. 2008. In press.
Koch, J., Miles, D.K., Gilley, J., Yang, C.P., and Kernie, S.G. Brief exposure to hyperoxia depletes the glial progenitor pool and impairs functional recovery following hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism. 2008. In press.
Chumley, M., Catchpole, T., Silvany, R., Kernie, S.G., and Henkemeyer, M. EphB receptors regulate stem/progenitor cell proliferation, migration, and polarity during hippocampal neurogenesis. Journal of Neuroscience. 2007. 49: 1381-1390.
Shi, J., Miles, D.K., Orr, B.A., Massa, S.M., and Kernie, S.G. Injury-induced neurogenesis in Bax-deficient mice: Evidence for regulation by voltage-gated potassium channels. European Jounal of Neuroscience. 2007. 25: 3499-3412.
Miles, D.M. and Kernie S.G. Brain Remodeling and Regeneration after Injury. Moller, ed. Progress in Brain Research. 157(12). 187-197. 2006.
Shi, J., Parada, L.F., and Kernie, S.G. Bax limits adult neural stem cell persistence through caspase and IP3 receptor activation. Cell Death and Differentiation. 2005. 12: 1601-1612.
Yu, T., Dandekar, M., Monteggia, L.M., Parada, L.F. and Kernie, S.G. Doxycline-mediated expression of Cre recombinase in neural stem cells. Genesis. 2005. 41: 147-153.
Salman, H., Ghosh, P., and Kernie, S.G. Subventricular zone neural stem cells remodel the brain following traumatic injury in adult mice. Journal of Neurotrauma. 2004. 21(3). 283-92.
Kernie, S.G., Erwin, T.M., and Parada, L.F. Brain remodeling due to neuronal and astrocytic proliferation following controlled cortical injury in mice. The Journal of Neuroscience Research. 2001. Nov: 66(3). 317-26.
Kernie, S.G., Liebl, D.J., and Parada, L.F. BDNF regulates weight and locomotor activity in mice. EMBO Journal. 2000. Mar: 19 (6). 1290-1300.
In the news:
Resuscitation technique after brain injury may do more harm than good, researchers find
To access any of the publications referenced on this website please visit http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed
