Research Areas
Hypoxia in the Brain
Our research group investigates the effects of hypoxia in the brain. Tissue hypoxia in the brain is a central problem in a number of disorders such as ischemia, tumors, brain injury, high altitude sickness and epilepsy. The insufficient availability of oxygen to the cells can be caused by reduced supply or increased consumption. Therefore our interest is focused on the neurovascular interplay which also includes glial cells. We study two hypoxia-related processes in particular: 1) the activation of endogenous factors which protect neurons against cell death or which induce their regeneration (neuroprotection and neurogenesis), and 2) the opening of the blood-brain barrier leading to cerebral oedema formation. We utilise various in vivo experimental models (hypoxia chamber, ischemia models), including transgenic animals, and combine these with modern molecular biology techniques. By analysing and characterising this endogenous protective response we hope to find clues for new therapies for human diseases.
1) Neuroprotection and Neurogenesis
Tissue hypoxia is detected via various oxygen sensors (polylhydoxylases, PHD), which activate specific transcription factors (hypoxia-inducible factors, HIF), which, in turn, lead to the induction of neurogenic and neuroprotective factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or erythropoietin (Epo). It is the aim of our research to understand in detail the underlying mechanisms and to manipulate them in a positive way.
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from Wang et al.; Brain (2005); 128: 52-63 |
2) Blood-Brain Barrier
Besides its positive properties (neuroprotection, neurogenesis, angiogenesis) VEGF has one negative effect on the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which complicates its immediate therapeutic use: VEGF leads to the opening of the BBB and, as a consequence, to the formation of a cerebral oedema. We investigate the molecular mechanisms of this opening by characterising the processes at the endothelial cell-cell contacts (tight junctions) and at the extracellular matrix. It is our goal to reduce oedema formation by intervention without affecting the neuroprotective properties.
from Bauer et al.; J Cereb Blood Flow Metab (2010); 30: 837-848. |
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Recent Publications
Institute of Heidelberg University Im Neuenheimer Feld 326 69120 Heidelberg Germany
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