Investigating the Role of Tanycyte Barriers at the Circumventricular Organs in Health and Neuroinflammation.

About This Grant

Project Summary Circumventricular organs (CVOs) are specialized brain regions with unique vascular properties, lacking the classical blood-brain barrier (BBB), to facilitate rapid communication between the brain and periphery. Among these, the median eminence (ME) plays a central role in regulating vital neuroendocrine processes such as hunger, stress, and reproduction. Unlike other CVOs, tanycytes, a specialized ependymoglial cell type, establish a selective barrier between the ME, cerebrospinal fluid, and CNS parenchyma. However, how this barrier is formed, its distinct features compared to other CVOs, and its response to systemic and CNS inflammation remain poorly understood. This project seeks to define the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying tanycyte barrier formation and its functional role in the ME. Specifically, it will investigate the role of Claudin-10, a key tight junction protein, in maintaining barrier integrity and regulating ion permeability. Additionally, the project will explore how inflammation disrupts tanycyte-mediated barrier function and how such changes affect hypothalamic regulation. These findings will provide critical insights into the dynamics of CNS barriers and their impact on neuroinflammatory and metabolic disorders, offering potential avenues for therapeutic interventions.