{"id":12907,"date":"2026-04-09T11:40:23","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T08:40:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/umram.bilkent.edu.tr\/?p=12907"},"modified":"2026-04-09T11:40:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T08:40:23","slug":"blocking-the-rgma-neogenin-pathway-restores-vascular-integrity-neuroregeneration-and-functional-recovery-after-cns-injury-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/umram.bilkent.edu.tr\/index.php\/tr\/2026\/04\/09\/blocking-the-rgma-neogenin-pathway-restores-vascular-integrity-neuroregeneration-and-functional-recovery-after-cns-injury-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Blocking the RGMa\u2013Neogenin Pathway Restores Vascular Integrity, Neuroregeneration, and Functional Recovery After CNS Injury"},"content":{"rendered":"

Title:<\/strong> Blocking the RGMa\u2013Neogenin Pathway Restores Vascular Integrity, Neuroregeneration, and Functional Recovery After CNS Injury<\/p>\n

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Speaker:<\/strong>\u00a0Dr. Alireza Shabanzadeh<\/p>\n

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Date:<\/strong>\u00a09 April, Thursday 16:30<\/p>\n

Place:<\/strong>\u00a0Aysel Sabuncu Brain Research Center Seminar Room (SC-106)<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Abstract:<\/strong>\u00a0 An attractive strategy for functional recovery following stroke is to neutralize factors involved in blood-vessel dysfunction. RGMa is upregulated in the blood of stroke patients, where it contributes to vascular dysfunction. We demonstrate that proteolytic cleavage of RGMa is required for its interaction with Neogenin and subsequent disruption of blood vessel integrity. Inhibition of the extracellular protease SKI-1 using PF-429242 restores vascular integrity and promotes functional recovery in both small and large animal models. Similarly, preventing RGMa cleavage through point mutation or deleting Neogenin in endothelial cells reduces vascular dysfunction, enhances tissue preservation, and improves functional outcomes following CNS injury.<\/p>\n

Single-cell mRNA sequencing identified gene expression signatures which indicate that the inhibition of RGMa cleavage by PF-429242 could protection vascular integrity. Immunohistochemistry validated the critical transcriptomic changes supporting this assertion. In both mouse and rabbit models, PF-429242 reduced infarct size and cognitive decline while promoting functional recovery.<\/p>\n

This work identifies a much-needed therapeutic target that promotes post-stroke recovery.<\/p>\n

Bio:<\/strong>\u00a0Dr. Alireza P. Shabanzadeh a neuroscience researcher and Scientific Associate at the Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network (Toronto, Canada). His research focuses on neurovascular dysfunction, neuroregeneration, and functional recovery following central nervous system (CNS) injury and aging. He integrates vascular biology and neuronal signaling to develop therapeutic strategies that enhance brain repair.<\/p>\n

He completed postdoctoral training at the University of Alberta and the University of Toronto, where he studied neuroprotection, neuronal survival, and regenerative signaling after CNS injury.<\/p>\n

His translational research program centers on vascular repair and restoration of blood\u2013brain barrier integrity after stroke. He has identified novel therapeutic targets, including the proprotein convertase SKI-1, demonstrating that its inhibition improves vascular integrity and functional recovery in preclinical models. His work combines single-cell transcriptomics, in vivo imaging, and clinically relevant stroke models.<\/p>\n

Dr. Shabanzadeh has authored over 25 peer-reviewed publications in leading journals, including Nature Cardiovascular Research, Nature Communications, Journal of Clinical Investigation, and Cell Reports. He has also contributed to teaching and mentorship at Tehran University of Medical Sciences and the University of Toronto.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Title: Blocking the RGMa\u2013Neogenin Pathway Restores Vascular Integrity, Neuroregeneration, and Functional Recovery After CNS Injury Speaker:\u00a0Dr. Alireza Shabanzadeh Date:\u00a09 April, Thursday 16:30 Place:\u00a0Aysel Sabuncu Brain Research Center Seminar Room (SC-106) \u00a0 Abstract:\u00a0 An attractive strategy for functional recovery following stroke is to neutralize factors involved in blood-vessel dysfunction. RGMa is upregulated in the blood of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":12333,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[748],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/umram.bilkent.edu.tr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12907"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/umram.bilkent.edu.tr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/umram.bilkent.edu.tr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/umram.bilkent.edu.tr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/umram.bilkent.edu.tr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12907"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/umram.bilkent.edu.tr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12907\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12908,"href":"https:\/\/umram.bilkent.edu.tr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12907\/revisions\/12908"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/umram.bilkent.edu.tr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12333"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/umram.bilkent.edu.tr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12907"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/umram.bilkent.edu.tr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12907"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/umram.bilkent.edu.tr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12907"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}