Project R-10788

Molecular keys in microglia to control neuronal wiring. (Research)

Microglia are the immune cells of the brain and are involved in a broad spectrum of processes which regulate homeostasis in the brain. Synaptic elimination involves the phagocytosis of weak synapses, which is essential to create and maintain the neuronal network. This process is strictly regulated to ensure the best efficiency for the intricate 'brain circuitry'. Disruption of synaptic elimination gives rise to multiple different pathologies such as autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. In the current project, we investigate a new protein that controls microglial functions in the developing brain. We found that microglia highly express this scaffolding protein, which is mostly known to be involved in the development of schizophrenia and other neurodevelopmental disorders when impaired. We expect that the protein controls microglial movement and phagocytosis through interaction with the cytoskeleton and that impairment of microglial protein contributes to related psychiatric symptoms. We will approach this problem starting from molecular control of cell movement up to behavioral aspects.

01 October 2020 - 30 September 2024