Unraveling the mechanisms that regulate vascular properties in neurogenic niches: role of neural stem cells (B14*)

• Subject Area: Molecular Biology and Physiology of Neurons and Glial Cells
• Term: from 2018 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 122491522

Blood brain barrier (BBB) properties of blood vessels at the subventricular zone (SVZ) neurogenic niche are different to non-neurogenic areas of the brain and may be important for neural stem cell (NSC) homeostasis. However, how these properties are controlled remains unknown. We now hypothe-size that NSCs modulate their own microenvironment by controlling vascular properties within their niche. Using a combination of transgenic mouse lines where NSCs are ablated or increased in number, in vitro co-culture assays and RNA sequencing of NSCs and endothelial cells (ECs), we will determine the cellular and molecular mechanisms leading to the SVZ specific vascular properties. As neurogene-sis declines with aging, we are also interested in determining whether specific vascular changes occur in the SVZ upon aging and whether these are due to the reduced number or differential signalling of NSCs.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 873: Maintenance and Differentiation of Stem Cells in Development und Disease
• Applicant Institution: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
• Project Head: Professorin Carmen Ruiz de Almodovar Egea, Ph.D.