Novel mechanisms by which retinal microglia regulate vascular development

该项目旨在研究称为小胶质细胞的免疫细胞如何改善发育中的视网膜血管系统。利用最先进的成像技术的新知识可能会检查血管发育发生的全新机制。这些信息对于增强我们对免疫细胞在神经系统中的作用的理解至关重要，并将指导研究这些细胞的新方法的发展。预期成果包括评估神经系统发育中小胶质细胞的新方法和新知识。从长远来看，该项目中获得的信息可能有助于理解血管异常的情况，或使用小胶质细胞作为改变血管功能的靶点。

This project aims to investigate how immune cells called microglia refine the developing retinal vasculature. New knowledge utilizing state of art imaging techniques is likely to be examine a completely novel mechanism by which vascular development occurs. This information is critical for enhancing our understanding of the role of immune cells in the nervous system and will guide the development of new ways of examining these cells. Expected outcomes include a novel way for assessing microglia in the developing nervous system and new knowledge. In the longer term the information gained in this project may be helpful for understanding scenarios where blood vessels are abnormal, or for using microglia as a target to modify vascular function.