Research Overview
Leukocytes are recruited to the cerebrovasculature as a result of numerous pathologies, like stroke, Alzheimer’s Disease, and dementia. Although these pathologies are diverse, the mechanisms underlying leukocyte recruitment are tied together by common themes governing recruitment, infiltration, migration and cell-cell crosstalk. The CVI Lab focuses on how leukocyte recruitment and infiltration can be modulated to uncover new therapeutic targets.
Research Areas
Leukocyte Infiltration
Recent work from the CVI Lab indicates that leukocytes that are recruited to the ischemic brain initially arrive at the cortical surface. The disseminate from there into the sub cortex over days.
Neutrophil Longevity
New evidence indicates that neutrophils recruited to the ischemic brain survive for days. This appears to be exacerbated in aged brains and thus represents a novel therapeutic target.
Microglia-Leukocyte Interactions
Leukocytes recruited to the inflamed cerebrovasculature interact with the resident microglia. This interactions regulate the underlying pathology and recovery from numerous diseases including stroke and dementia.
General Leukocyte Diapedesis
In collaboration with the Muller Laboratory, this research focuses on the core mechanisms of leukocyte recruitment and transendothelial migration.