Bone morphogenetic protein-dependent regulation of the retinal neurovascular unit

• Applicant: Dr. Andreas Benn
• Subject Area: Developmental Biology ; Developmental Neurobiology
• Term: from 2017 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 387721767

Brain physiology relies on a functional blood-brain barrier that controls the exchange of molecules between the blood circulation and the surrounding brain tissues. Loss of blood-brain barrier integrity is observed in numerous neurovascular disorders, including stroke and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. Thus, understanding how the barrier and its structural component, the neurovascular unit, develop and function is critical to develop effective clinical treatment strategies for these disorders. In this research proposal, I postulate that bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6), an extracellular growth factor, controls the development and function of the neurovascular unit via crosstalk between the different cell types. To test my research hypothesis, I will use the retina of newborn mice because the development of the mouse retinal neurovascular unit occurs in a stereotypical manner with an orderly structured architecture within the first 21 postnatal days, thus making it a comprehensive system. Using the mouse retina, I will analyse the consequences of gain- and loss-of BMP6 function during the complete period of retinal neurovascular development. This work will provide a deeper understanding of the function of BMP6 in the complex cell communication processes that occur during neurovascular development and function, which may pave the way for novel therapeutic applications to disorders associated to a dysfunctional neurovascular unit/blood-brain barrier.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: Belgium
• Host: Professorin Dr. An Zwijsen