Functional characterization of parvins on the regulation of endothelial actin cyto skeleton during angiogenesis Role of integrin/parvin-signaling in the neurovascular unit during central nervous system development

该研究项目的总体目标是加深我们对控制细胞-细胞外基质(ECM)相互作用的分子机制的理解，以及不同类型细胞之间的相互作用如何调控血管形态发生，以及组织的动态平衡和功能。作为实验系统，我们使用小鼠中枢神经系统的神经血管单位(NVU)。NVU由内皮细胞(EC)单层组成，由紧密连接(TJ)封闭，位于基底板、完整的周细胞、星形胶质细胞以及偶尔的神经元终末上。NVU内部的动态相互作用对CNS的动态平衡至关重要，NVU完整性的破坏与神经病理有关，包括中风、脑内出血和眼部疾病。该项目的重点是整合素/Parvin信号在NVU内在生理条件下的作用。

The overall aim of the research project is to deepen our understanding of the molecular mechanisms controlling cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions, and how the interplay between different cell types governs vascular morphogenesis, and tissue homeostasis and function. As an experimental system we use the neurovascular unit (NVU) of the central nervous system (CNS) in mice. The NVU consist of an endothelial cell (EC) monolayer, sealed by tight junctions (TJ) and resting on a basal lamina, integrated pericytes, astrocytes and occasionally neuronal terminals. The dynamic interactions within the NVU are critical for the homeostasis of the CNS, and disruption of the NVU integrity is associated with neurological pathologies, including stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage and ocular diseases. The proposed project focuses on the role of integrin/parvin-signaling within the NVU in physiological conditions.