# Uncovering the Role of Neural Crest Gene Regulatory Networks in Cardiac Regeneration

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY · 2024 · $42,654

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT:
The adult zebrafish has an incredible ability to regenerate up to 20% of its heart after ventricular
resection. In comparison, adult humans have little to no regenerative ability. In the zebrafish,
this process is known to be driven by pre-existing cardiomyocytes in the heart, but the specific
sub-populations of cardiomyocytes involved is not known. Cardiac neural crest cells migrate
during development and contribute to several structures in the heart, including a subpopulation
of these cardiomyocytes. Though these neural crest derived cardiomyocytes (NCCMs) make up
less than 15% of all zebrafish cardiomyocytes, they are essential for proper heart development
and function. Thus, we hypothesize that NCCMs may also be essential for proper cardiac
regeneration. I aim to dissect the unique contribution of NCCMs to zebrafish cardiac
regeneration by measuring their participation in and necessity for distinct stages of cardiac
regeneration. I will accomplish this by quantifying NCCMs in comparison to other
cardiomyocytes during regeneration utilizing a combination of inducible transgenic
manipulations, single cell genomics, and in situ techniques. Interestingly, the ratio of NCCMs to
MCMs is conserved in the zebrafish, chick, and mouse though their ability to regenerate differs.
Thus, it is not just the presence or absence of NCCMs that confer regenerative ability, but a
unique feature of zebrafish NCCMs. I aim to determine the unique gene regulatory circuits in
NCCMs during regeneration and the necessary components for cardiac regeneration. This
approach will uncover the role of NCCMs and developing neural crest gene regulation in
zebrafish cardiac regeneration. Further, this data will help generate future hypotheses and
subsequent genetic targets for the investigation of the differential ability to regenerate the heart
among species. Ultimately, this work will contribute to our understanding of the role of a unique
neural crest derivative in regeneration and generate potential routes of regenerative therapies
for heart disease in human patients.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10998900
- **Project number:** 1F31HL176141-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY
- **Principal Investigator:** Alexandra K Haugan
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $42,654
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-30 → 2026-09-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10998900

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10998900, Uncovering the Role of Neural Crest Gene Regulatory Networks in Cardiac Regeneration (1F31HL176141-01). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/10998900. Licensed CC0.

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