Lorraine Lau:

Research interests or projects:

My research interests are focused on elucidating the role of the microenvironment during remyelination. Remyelination is a critical repair process in demyelinating disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS) as demyelinated axons are subjected to reduced nerve conduction rates and are vulnerable to axonal degeneration. While many factors govern this process, an important yet understudied one is the signaling microenvironment. A pro-remyelinating microenvironment consists of the correct spatial and temporal expression of inflammatory molecules, extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, and proteases, specifically matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which remodel this environment. Understanding the complex interplay between these three groups is likely crucial to promoting repair in MS. My current project aims to identify the key players in the microenvironment, to understand their functional relationships, and to use this knowledge to promote remyelination.

Publications and abstracts:

Lau L., Skihar V., Stirling D., Goncalves daSilva A., Yong VW. (2007) Select extracellular matrix molecules accumulate in the lesion microenvironment during de- and re-myelination. 2007 Eight biannual satellite ISN myelin meeting. Myelin development and function.
Agrawal SM., Lau L., Yong VW. (2007) MMPs in the central nervous system: Where the good guys go bad. Semin Cell Dev Biol (In press)
Peng PL , Zhong X , Tu W , Soundarapandian MM, Molner P , Zhu D , Lau L , Liu S , Liu F , Lu Y . (2006) ADAR2-dependent RNA editing of AMPA receptor subunit GluR2 determines vulnerability of neurons in forebrain ischemia. Neuron 49(5):719-33
Liu S*, Lau L*, Wei J, Zhu D, Zou S, Sun H, Fu Y, Liu F, Lu Y. (2004) Expression of Ca2+-Permeable AMPA receptor channels primes cell death in transient forebrain ischemia. Neuron. 43:43-55 (* These authors contributed equally)
Zhu D., Lau L., Liu S., Wei J., Lu Y. (2004) Activation of cAMP-response-element-binding protein (CREB) after focal cerebral ischemia stimulates neurogenesis in the adult dentate gyrus. PNAS. 101(25): 9453-9457
Lau, L., Liu, S., Zhu, D., Wei., J., Sun H., French, R., Lu, Y. (2004) Expression of Ca2+-Permeable AMPA receptor channels primes cell death in transient forebrain ischemia. Program No. 99.10. 2004 Abstract Viewer/Itinerary Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2004. Online.

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