Expertise
Regenerative Biology | Wound healing | Peripheral Neuropathy.
We are particularly interested in the role of Anterior Gradient Protein in this process, which has been shown to function in a nerve-dependent manner during newt limb regeneration. We are currently exploring the role of one family member of the Anterior Gradient Protein family in this process.
1. Dr. Rieger is interested in developing therapies for paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN). She has identified MMP-13 as a target of paclitaxel in the epidermis that when inhibited alleviates neuropathy/ neurotoxicity. Her lab is currently studying the mechanisms by which paclitaxel activates MMP-13, and they are determining how MMP-13 induces axon degeneration. Dr. Rieger would like to develop MMP-13 inhibitors into clinical applications for the prevention of neuropathy or the treatment of chemotherapy patients with already existing neuropathy. MMP-13 inhibition also shows efficacy in diabetic neuropathy in zebrafish and mice. She, therefore, envisions additional research on the mechanisms leading to MMP-13 -dependent diabetic neuropathy and to develop treatments for this condition. 2. Dr. Rieger is working on Anterior Gradient Protein 2, a proto-oncogene that plays a role as an antimicrobial factor in the intestine. Dr. Rieger’s team have found a similar function during mouse digit tip regeneration. One goal is to determine whether parallel functions of Agr2 also promote cancer formation.