CMCB Life Sciences Seminar: Prof. Benoit Vanhollebeke, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Laboratory of Neurovascular Signaling, ULB Neuroscience Institute, WEL Research Institute, Brussels, Belgium

Host: Nikolay Ninov (CRTD)

Title: “Single-cell control mechanism of brain angiogenesis and blood-brain barrier formation”

Abstract: Endothelial cells of the brain are endowed with neuroprotective blood-brain barrier (BBB) properties that restrict the penetration of blood-borne components into the neural tissue. To ensure brain protection from the earliest developmental steps, neuronal progenitors release Wnt7a/b ligands that restrict brain access to endothelial cells that properly initiate the BBB differentiation cascade. In this talk, the molecular and cellular regulation of this organotypic quality control mechanism will be discussed.