Sharma &
Perez
Artist
Jeeya Sharma
- Undergraduate Artist
- Emory University
Scientist
Elena Perez
- 4th year undergraduate
- Emory University
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Artwork
by Jeeya Sharma
Artist's narrative
This work explores the interaction between the neuronal components of the spinal cord tissue, which come together to allow humans to move and feel. In healthy spinal cord tissue, the microglia extend their arms to survey motor neurons, ensuring that all is well. Here, we have depicted the microglia reaching out similarly to their host, a little girl who also curiously reaches her hand out in return. The variety of colors are inspired by the fluorescent images taken from a 2photon microscope, and they represent the variety of polychromatic neurons that work together to ensure that this little girl is able to use her peripheral nerves to experience life to the fullest.
Abstract
by Elena Perez
Peripheral nerve injuries cause inflammation at the site of the injury, but also, in the spinal cord. Microglia (resident immune cells of the CNS) seem to be involved in both regeneration and degeneration of motoneurons (MNs). We’ve observed a unique phenomenon, which we call the microglia death cluster. This is where activated microglia surround the cell body of a dying MN. My project investigates whether microglia target alpha MNs versus gamma MNs differently for cell death. These subpopulations are functionally different: alphas are involved in voluntary movement whereas gammas are involved in the sensitivity of muscle spindles and muscle tone. So, if one population is more susceptible to loss after injury, this would have functional consequences for a patient. The results could be applied to advancing therapeutic strategies for nerve recovery after injury as well as a wide range of neurological disorders that involve MN degeneration such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy.