Chronic hypertension-induced cerebrovascular damage: identification of novel molecular targets at the immune-vascular interface
| Componente | Categoria |
|---|---|
| Daniela Carnevale | Componenti strutturati del gruppo di ricerca |
| Sara Perrotta | Dottorando/Assegnista/Specializzando componente non strutturato del gruppo di ricerca |
| Sergio Paolini | Componenti strutturati del gruppo di ricerca |
Hypertension (HTN) is one of the most high-impact risk factors for dementia, as high blood pressure imposes a continuous challenge on the brain. Whilst several anti-hypertensive reagents are available, we still lack specific therapies counteracting the detrimental effects of HTN in target organs, such as the brain. Extensive evidence shows that immune cells participate in HTN by infiltrating organ vasculature, and the brain is not an exception. Combining our expertise in cardiovascular physiology, neuroscience and immunology, we aim to dissect the molecular mechanisms regulating the interactions of immune cells with cerebral arteries in HTN, as a step towards identifying novel therapies. Our strategy is to identify the specific T cell subset modifying the structure and function of cerebral arteries in mice challenged with chronic hypertensive stimuli, utilizing a completely novel approach that combine immunophenotyping and sorting of specific T cell population(s) and vascular biology.