Physiologic and Pathologic Coupling in the Neurovascular Unit

描述（由申请人提供）：神经血管单位的概念正在改变我们研究脑功能和中枢神经系统疾病的方式。重点从纯粹的神经元焦点转向综合观点，即所有脑细胞之间的细胞间通信构成了功能和功能障碍的基础。这个新的PPG旨在剖析神经血管单元的生理和病理耦合机制，重点是血管和神经元室之间的相互作用。在项目1中，我们将评估脑内皮细胞和神经元之间的基质整合素信号传导和营养偶联。我们假设内皮是脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）的重要来源，因此内皮基质完整性和血管营养支持的丧失会导致神经元功能障碍和死亡。在项目2中，我们将验证鞘氨醇-1-磷酸（S1P）作为自分泌和旁分泌介质，刺激脑损伤后神经元和血管增殖，从而将神经发生和血管生成耦合在一起的假设。在项目3中，我们将研究发生在强烈去极化神经元、胶质细胞和血管之间的反向血管收缩血流动力学耦合。正常脑与缺血脑血流动力学耦合的差异揭示了脑功能障碍的新途径。所有项目都将得到神经血管耦合核心的支持，在那里我们将开发和应用新的光学成像技术来绘制三维空间和时间上的神经血管脑功能。协同作用建立在所有项目之间的密切互动中。项目1中的整合素信号如何影响项目2中的S1P，反过来，S1P是否可以调节内皮细胞BDNF的产生？项目1和2中定义的整合素、BDNF和S1P信号如何影响项目3中测量的反向血流动力学耦合？我们的Core提供的光学成像技术能否应用于项目1、2和3中破坏基质和营养耦合的体内模型？最后，行政核心将支持行政和预算后勤，计算机数据库，以及我们项目中所有部门的神经血管系列研讨会。这种高度整合的PPG将使我们能够在许多层面上解剖神经血管耦合，包括组织水平上的快速血流动力学耦合，以及细胞水平上的缓慢基质和营养耦合。脑激活范式被用来评估正常的生理耦合，疾病模型被用作“探针”来解剖病理耦合。这些数据不仅对脑功能的理解有重要影响，而且应该让我们深入了解急性脑损伤和神经退行性变中功能失调的大脑是如何恶化的。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The concept of the neurovascular unit is changing the way we investigate brain function and CNS disorders. The emphasis shifts from a purely neuronal focus towards an integrative view where cell-cell communication between all brain cells forms the basis for function and dysfunction. This new PPG seeks to dissect mechanisms of physiologic and pathologic coupling in the neurovascular unit, with a focus on interactions between vascular and neuronal compartments. In Project 1, we will assess matrix integrin signaling and trophic coupling between cerebral endothelial cells and neurons. We hypothesize that endothelium is a significant source of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), so that loss of endothelial matrix integrity and vascular trophic support leads to neuronal dysfunction and death. In Project 2, we will test the hypothesis that sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) acts as an autocrine and paracrine mediator that stimulates both neuronal and vascular proliferation after brain injury, thus coupling together neurogenesis and angiogenesis. In Project 3, we will study the reverse vasoconstrictive hemodynamic coupling that occurs between intensely depolarized neurons and glia and the blood vessel. Differences in hemodynamic coupling in normal versus ischemic brain should reveal new pathways of brain dysfunction. All projects will be supported by a Neurovascular Coupling Core, where we will develop and apply novel optical imaging techniques to map neurovascular brain function in three dimensions over space and time. Synergy is built into close interactions between all projects. How do integrin signals in Project 1 affect S1P in Project 2, and conversely, can S1P modulate endothelial BDNF production? How does integrin, BDNF and S1P signaling defined in Projects 1 and 2 affect the reverse hemodynamic coupling measured in Projects 3? And can the optical imaging techniques provided by our Core be applied to the in vivo models of disrupted matrix and trophic coupling in Projects 1, 2 and 3? Finally, an Administrative Core will support admin and budget logistics, a computer database, and a neurovascular seminar series across all the departments represented in our program. This highly integrated PPG should enable us to dissect neurovascular coupling at many levels, including fast hemodynamic coupling at the tissue level, as well as slow matrix and trophic coupling at the cellular level. Brain activation paradigms are used to assess normal physiologic coupling, and disease models are used as "probes" to dissect pathologic coupling. These data will have significant impact not only on the understanding of brain function, but should also give us insight into how dysfunctional brain deteriorates in acute brain injury and neurodegeneration.