Laboratory of Molecular Basis of Brain Plasticity

Head: Jolanta SKANGIEL-KRAMSKA

Staff: Artur Czupryn, Magdalena Karetko-Sysa (PhD student), Dorota Nowicka, Grażyna Truszkowska

Research profile:

The laboratory focuses on studying neuronal plasticity during postnatal development and in the adult brain. We are especially interested in elucidating the role of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and its remodeling in plastic phenomena. Our study is concentrated on neuronal plasticity occurring after cerebral stroke in the adult brain and the potential ability of perineuronal nets – a morphologically distinguishable form of ECM – to limit plastic changes. The second avenue of investigation is deciphering factors that can modulate neuronal integration of endogenous and exogenous neuron precursors/neuroblasts/immature neurons into the mouse brain

Methods:

• immunocytochemistry
• histochemistry
• in situ zymography
• in situ hybridization
• Western blotting
• quantitative receptor binding autoradiography
• tissue culture techniques

Current research activities:

• perineuronal nets: investigations of the involvement of extracellular matrix components in cortical plasticity especially after recovery from cortical stroke
• ECM remodeling: elucidating molecular mechanisms of ECM remodeling in the rodent brain during development and aging
• Metalloproteinases: investigations of the role of MMPs in post-ischemic phenomena
• repopulation therapies: studying integration of transplanted neurons to the postnatal brain

Selected publications:

Karetko-Sysa M., Skangiel-Kramska J., Nowicka D. (2011) Disturbance of perineuronal nets in the perilesional area after photothrombosis is not associated with neuronal death. Experimental Neurolology, 231: 113-126.

Cybulska-Kłosowicz A., Liguz-Lęcznar M., Nowicka D., Ziemka-Nałęcz M., Kossut M., Skangiel-Kramska J. (2011) Matrix metal- loproteinase inhibition counteracts impairment of cortical experience-dependent plasticity after photothrombotic stroke. European Journal of Neuroscience, 33: 2238-2246.

Rogozińska K., Skangiel-Kramska J. (2010) Effect of focal cerebral ischaemia on modulatory neurotransmitter receptors in the rat brain: an autoradiographic study. Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy, 40: 232-238.

Karetko M., Skangiel-Kramska J. (2009) Diverse functions of perineuronal nets. Acta Neurobiologiae Experimentalis, 69: 564-577.

Nowicka D., Soulsby S., Skangiel-Kramska J., Głażewski S. (2009) Parvalbumin-containing neurones, perineuronal nets and experience-dependent plasticity in murine barrel cortex. European Journal of Neuroscience, 30:2053-2063