Potential role of Calcineurin isoform A-β1 in neurovascular niche stem cell dynamics as a therapeutic target

Calcineurin A-β1 (CnAβ1) is a noncanonical isoform of calcium- based protein phosphatase Calcineurin with a unique C-terminal domain that sets it apart from the canonical forms and results in completely different functions and interactions, sometimes directly opposing the effect of standard Cn. The actual roles of CnAβ1 in different tissues have been barely studied so far, however, and any processes it could be part of in the brain in particular are currently unknown. Our preliminary data suggests CnAβ1 could play a role in neural stem cell (NSC) regulation and dynamics; as the natural capabilities for adult neurogenesis and post-injury repair of the brain and its NSCs are limited, any insight on these processes and the potential involvement of CnAβ1 in them could provide new venues for therapeutic and neuroengineering approaches, as they concern neurodegenerative pathologies and cerebrovascular lesions. Further research will be carried out with advanced 3D imaging and tissue clearing techniques in order to verify and expand these findings.