Working Group Tillmann
The focus of this group is on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) as a complex anatomical and physiological
barrier. The BBB plays a decisive role in neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), as
changes in its function and permeability are among the pathomechanisms of the disease. In this
context, it is important to understand the mechanisms in order to develop potential therapeutic
approaches to stabilize or restore its integrity.
Research
How inflammatory processes unbalance the blood-brain barrier
The blood-brain barrier is a complex physiological barrier that protects the central nervous system (CNS), consisting of the brain and spinal cord, from potentially harmful substances in the bloodstream, while allowing the transport of vital nutrients and neurotransmitters. This selective permeability is ensured by a multitude of cells and molecular mechanisms, whereby the exchange across the barrier is very strictly regulated.
The importance of the blood-brain barrier is particularly evident in neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). In part, MS is considered an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own structures, in particular the myelin sheaths, which encase the axons in the CNS.
Inflammatory processes in the CNS are also an important part of the pathogenesis, leading to activation of the glial cells. Subsequently, changes in the blood-brain barrier that impair its integrity and function play a decisive role in the development and progression of MS.
This research group is pursuing various experimental in vitro and in vivo approaches to take a closer look at the function of the blood-brain barrier in general and the processes involved in inflammation in particular, and to investigate their potential role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis.
Lipocalin 2 as a modulator of neuroinflammation and the blood-brain barrier
Lipocalin 2 is expressed by reactive astrocytes in MS lesions. The reason for this and the functions of lipocalin 2 in an inflammatory environment will be investigated in more detail in this project.
Cellular communication at the blood-brain barrier
As cellular components of the blood-brain barrier, astrocytes and endothelial cells are in close contact. Communication through secreted molecules and the associated regulation of the barrier plays a major role in neuroinflammation and is the subject of this project.
Sabine Molly-Klumbies
Franziska Pfeiffer
Lipocalin 2 attenuates oligodendrocyte loss and immune cell infiltration in mouse models for multiple sclerosis
Natalie Gasterich, Amelie Bohn, Anika Sesterhenn et al.
GVolume70, Issue11, November 2022
Lipocalin 2 receptors: facts, fictions, and myths
Sarah K. Schröder, Natalie Gasterich, Sabine Weiskirchen, Ralf Weiskirchen
Front. Immunol., 11 August 2023
Further publications
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Lipocalin-2 Deficiency Diminishes Canonical NLRP3 Inflammasome Formation and IL-1β Production in the Subacute Phase of Spinal Cord Injury
Nina Müller; Miriam Scheld; Clara Voelz; Natalie Gasterich; Weiyi Zhao; Victoria Behrens; Ralf Weiskirchen; Maryam Baazm; Tim Clarner; Cordian Beyer et al.; International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2023-05-12
- Cover Image, Volume 70, Issue 11
Natalie Gasterich; Amelie Bohn; Anika Sesterhenn; Frederik Nebelo; Lena Fein; Hannes Kaddatz; Stella Nyamoya; Sebastian Kant; Markus Kipp; Ralf Weiskirchen et al.; Glia 2022-11 - Neuroprotective effect of the Nrf2/ARE/miRNA145-5p signaling pathway in the early phase of spinal cord injury
Nahal Ebrahimy; Natalie Gasterich; Victoria Behrens; Javad Amini; Athanassios Fragoulis; Cordian Beyer; Weiyi Zhao; Nima Sanadgol; Adib Zendedel; Life Sciences 2022-09
- Astrocytic Nrf2 expression protects spinal cord from oxidative stress following spinal cord injury in a male mouse mode
Natalie Tillmann; Journal of neuroinflammation 2022-06-06 - Lipocalin 2 as a Putative Modulator of Local Inflammatory Processes in the Spinal Cord and Component of Organ Cross talk After Spinal Cord Injury
Natalie Tillmann; Molecular neurobiology 2021-08-21 - Long-Term Glucose Starvation Induces Inflammatory Responses and Phenotype Switch in Primary Cortical Rat Astrocytes
Natalie Tillmann; Journal of Molecular Neuroscience 2021-02-12
- Hypoxia Induces Astrocyte-Derived Lipocalin-2 in Ischemic Stroke
Natalie Tillmann; International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2019-03-13