LICAMM Investigating the role of microglia on blood brain barrier function in cerebrovascular diseases.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a physical and biochemical barrier that precisely controls cerebral homeostasis and plays a crucial role in the regulation of blood-to-brain permeability of molecules to maintain the microenvironment for normal brain function. One of the pathophysiological features of cerebrovascular diseases (e.g., stroke, vascular dementia) is disruption of the BBB, which significantly contributes to development of brain injury and subsequent neurological impairment.

<p style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Microglia are the resident immune cells of the central nervous system that maintain immune surveillance and exert a modulating role on neuronal function. Upon injury, microglia get activated and modify their morphology acquiring pro- or anti-inflammatory features. Microglia exert dual roles in BBB dysfunction in cerbrovascular diseases due to microglial polarization and direct interactions with endothelial cells. Proinflammatory microglia contribute to BBB deterioration, while anti-inflammatory microglia benefit BBB repair by different mechanisms. In response to cerebrovascular disease, microglia secrete proinflammatory cytokines and contribute to damage of the blood vessels in the early stage, but in the later stage, microglial cells can facilitate BBB repair via neovascularization and production of protective factors. However, the exact mechanisms by which microglia exerts its effects on BBB function and dysfunction is not completely understood. </span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"> </p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The project aims use <em>in vitro</em> models to understand the specific crosstalk of microglia with the BBB cell types and their involvement in the modulation of BBB function in neuroinflammatory conditions that occur in conjunction with cerebrovascular diseases. </span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"> </p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">You will be given training in three dimensional (3D) cell culture, microfluidics, molecular biological techniques, immunohistochemistry and preclinical models. You will have advantage in working in an interdisciplinary environment and opportunity to work with biologists and engineers.</span></span></span></p>

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