Scientists Discover Molecular Brake Hindering Nerve Healing

Blocking a key protein may help restore function after spinal cord and nerve injuries

Apr. 2, 2026 at 2:05am

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Researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have discovered that a protein called the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) acts as a 'brake' that limits the regrowth of damaged axonal fibers in neurons. By blocking AHR, the scientists found they could improve axon regeneration and restore motor and sensory function in animal models of peripheral nerve and spinal cord injuries.

Why it matters

Injuries to the nerves or spinal cord often lead to long-lasting or permanent loss of movement or sensation because neurons in adult mammals have a limited ability to regrow their axonal connections. This discovery provides a potential new target for therapies that could enhance the body's natural repair processes and improve recovery from devastating neural injuries.

The details

The researchers found that when AHR signaling is active, it slows down axon growth. But when they removed AHR from neurons or blocked it with drugs, axonal fibers regrew more effectively. Further experiments revealed that AHR helps neurons protect themselves by maintaining protein quality control, which reduces the production of new proteins needed for growth. When AHR is turned off, neurons shift their strategy to produce more new proteins and activate growth-related pathways that support axon regeneration.

  • The findings were published in the journal Nature on April 2, 2026.

The players

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

A leading academic medical institution in New York City that conducted the research on the role of the AHR protein in nerve regeneration.

Hongyan Zou

Professor of Neurosurgery and Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the senior author of the study.

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What they’re saying

“When neurons are injured, they must deal with stress while also trying to regrow their axons. We discovered that AHR functions like a brake that shifts neurons toward managing stress rather than rebuilding damaged connections.”

— Hongyan Zou, Professor of Neurosurgery and Neuroscience

What’s next

The Mount Sinai research team plans to test AHR-blocking drugs and gene-therapy strategies designed to reduce AHR activity in neurons. The goal is to determine whether these approaches can further boost axon regrowth and improve recovery after spinal cord injury, stroke, or other neurological diseases.

The takeaway

This discovery provides a promising new target for therapies that could enhance the body's natural ability to repair damaged nerves and restore function after devastating neural injuries. By blocking the 'brake' protein AHR, researchers were able to significantly improve axon regeneration and recovery in animal models, offering hope for future treatments for spinal cord injuries, stroke, and other neurological conditions.