Abstract

Accumulating experimental evidence shows that neurons and glia come in direct contact with blood-derived cells during infections, inflammation and, major or minor, neurodegeneration. This is more obvious in the neurovascular niches, the areas in which blood vessels and CNS cells remain in constant contact and interaction. In this session, we will discuss exciting research work revealing how blood-derived cells and blood vessels themselves can work together, or against, CNS cells in response to inflammation or degeneration. Is the neurovascular niche a driver of regeneration or of destruction?

In this session we bring together neuroscientists that approach the neurovascular niche from diverse aspects, but that are all interested in the regenerative potential of the crosstalk between CNS cells and blood-derived elements or blood vessels themselves.

Dr. Ilias Kazanis will present recent work on the role of platelets as regulators of neural stem and progenitor cells. Dr. Alerie Guzman de la Fuente will showcase investigation on the interaction between oligodendrocyte progenitor cells and cells of the immune system. Dr. Fernando de Castro will talk about the interconnection of the vasculature, inflammatory processes and Multiple Sclerosis. Finally, the session will be chaired by Prof. Francisco Rivera who has long-track expertise on pericytes and platelets as regulating factors of oligodendroglial lineage cells.