Molecular mechanisms of mast cell - endothelial cell communication in controlling the blood-brain barrier (A28*)

• Subject Area: Molecular Biology and Physiology of Neurons and Glial Cells
• Term: from 2018 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 97850925

Increasing evidence suggests a critical role of mast cells (MCs) in neuroinflammatory disorders, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. A28N aims to characterize cerebral MCs in detail and to study their intercellular communication within the neurovascular unit by intravital 2-photon microscopy. Furthermore, the impact of MCs on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity and vascular activation under acute and chronic inflammation will be studied in vivo using intravital imaging, MC-deficient mice and MC-specific TNF inactivation. In addition, specialized in vitro techniques will be applied for a detailed analysis of the molecular mechanisms of the BBB regulation by MCs.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 854: Molecular Organisation of Cellular Communications within the Immune System
• Applicant Institution: Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg
• Project Heads: Professorin Dr. Anne Dudeck; Professorin Dr. Ildikò Rita Dunay