Chronic inflammation and blood brain barrier disruption in neurodegeneration (R-14473)

Research towards treating neurodegenerative disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, is aimed at halting ongoing inflammation and restoring brain function, but the (environmental) trigger of disease is still unknown. Therefore, our team searches for the cause(s) of neurodegeneration, combining fundamental research on mechanisms of chronic inflammation and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption with the investigation of obesity and other diet-related influences as an inflammatory cause of neurodegeneration. In this way, novel therapeutic targets are identified and validated for use in patients. Research lines: 1. Regulatory T cell stability in the inflamed central nervous system Investigating both the immune-suppressive and remyelinative capacity of Tregs in neuroinflammation and -degeneration with the focus on identifying therapeutic targets for MS. 2. The role of adaptive-to-innate phenotype switch in T helper cells in neurodegeneration Studying atypical characteristics of T helper cells in MS, including inflammasome activation and acquired cytotoxicity, and how this contributes to disease progression. 3. Adipose tissue-brain axis as environmental trigger of neuroinflammation Examining the role of adipose tissue-derived T helper cells and extracellular vesicles in triggering neuroinflammation and identifying other dietary influences on BBB permeability in this context.

Keywords:blood brain barrier, multiple sclerosis, Neuroinflammation, T cells

Disciplines:Metabolic diseases, Adaptive immunology, Autoimmunity, Inflammation, Cell movement, Cellular interactions and extracellular matrix, Epigenetics, Neurological and neuromuscular diseases