Using zebrafish to study leptomeningeal lymphatic endothelial cells (LLECs) during infection of brain tissue
Lead Research Organisation:
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
Department Name: Cell and Developmental Biology
Abstract
The Hawkins and Rihel labs recently co-discovered a novel, conserved leptomeningeal
lymphatic endothelial cell type (LLECs; also known as Brain lymphatic endothelial cells
(BLECs)) within the leptomeninges of zebrafish, mice and humans. Our knowledge of LLECs is
incomplete, however, they may be involved in infection and inflammation. This project aims
to characterise the cell biology of LLECs and to investigate interactions between LLECs and
important human pathogens (Shigella, mycobacteria, Toxoplasma) during infection. We
hypothesize that LLECs have an 'organisational' role for the immune system within the
leptomeninges, so associations between LLECs and other immune cells will also be explored.
lymphatic endothelial cell type (LLECs; also known as Brain lymphatic endothelial cells
(BLECs)) within the leptomeninges of zebrafish, mice and humans. Our knowledge of LLECs is
incomplete, however, they may be involved in infection and inflammation. This project aims
to characterise the cell biology of LLECs and to investigate interactions between LLECs and
important human pathogens (Shigella, mycobacteria, Toxoplasma) during infection. We
hypothesize that LLECs have an 'organisational' role for the immune system within the
leptomeninges, so associations between LLECs and other immune cells will also be explored.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/T008709/1 | 30/09/2020 | 29/09/2028 | |||
| 2546793 | Studentship | BB/T008709/1 | 30/09/2021 | 28/10/2025 |