PHD2022-03
The impact of dynamic interactions between meningeal immune cells on neurodevelopment
Host laboratory and collaborators
Rejane RUA (CIML) / rua@ciml.univ-mrs.fr
Marie-Pierre VALIGNAT (LAI) / marie-pierre.valignat@inserm.fr
Abstract
The meninges represent neurotrophic and immunologically active membranes between the surface of the brain and the skull. Recent data show that during neurodevelopment, T cells and macrophages progressively populate the meninges, interact, and are likely to promote brain growth by providing neurotrophic factors. This occurs in parallel to a developmental increase of the intracranial pressure and an increase in extracellular matrix stifness that could promote those neurotrophic interactions. The objective of this project is to understand if the mecanical context of neurodevelopment favors meningeal macrophages (MM) interaction with T cells. To this end, we will combine physical and biological strategies to visualize, manipulate and characterize the interactions between MM and T cells in vitro, under different conditions of pressure and at different developmental times. We will extend our results in vivo in mice models. This pioneering work will help to understand how physical cues guide interactions between neuroimmune cells.
Keywords
Neurodevelopment, T cells, meningeal macrophages, mechanotransduction, pressure, chemoattraction.
Objectives
1. Define the dynamics of MM and T cells interactions in different pressure and matrix stiffness contexts
2. Define the consequences of macrophages and T cells contact in terms of activation (calcium induced-production of neurotrophic factors, chemokines, cytokines, vasoactive peptides, ...)
3. Understand the molecular mechanisms allowing MM-T cell contact and signal transduction
4. Evaluate the in vivo relevance of our findings in neurodevelopment
Proposed approach (experimental / theoretical / computational)
Preliminary data indicate that MM express integrins and chemoattractants even in the steady state. They are also equipped with mechanoreceptors that are activated by an increase in hydrostatic pressure.
1/ We will analyse MM and T cell populations ex vivo under neonatal (1mmHg) and adult (5mmHg) pressure conditions, and on neonatal and adult meningeal matrix.
2/ We will develop algorithms to quantify their physical interactions (contact time, trajectory, chemoattraction) and to correlate cell-cell interactions and its consequences (calcium, ...)
3/ We will perform single-cell RNA sequencing of MM and T cells in different conditions pressure/stiffness. Neurotrophic outputs will be analysed in silico and validated in vitro.
4/ We will use knock-out mice and transcranial inhibition of receptors during neurodevelopment to block these physical interactions, and measure its impact on brain development.
Interdisciplinarity
We are looking for a candidate with either a neuroscience background, or with a biophysics background. The PhD candidate should be able to learn fast and adapt to different environments. He/She should be fluent in English or/and French.
Expected profile
We are looking for a candidate with either a neuroscience background, or with a biophysics background. The PhD candidate should be able to learn fast and adapt to different environments. He/She should be fluent in English or/and French.
Is this project the continuation of an existing project or an entirely new one? In the case of an existing project, please explain the links between the two projects
This is a new project.
2 to 5 references related to the project
- Multifaceted interactions between adaptive immunity and the central nervous system.
Kipnis J.
Science. 2016 Aug 19;353(6301):766-71. doi: 10.1126/science.aag2638.
PMID: 27540163
- Unraveling the mechanobiology of immune cells.
Zhang X, Kim TH, Thauland TJ, Li H, Majedi FS, Ly C, Gu Z, Butte MJ, Rowat AC, Li S.
Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2020 Dec;66:236-245. doi: 10.1016/j.copbio.2020.09.004. Epub 2020 Sep 30.
PMID: 33007634
- Effector T-cell trafficking between the leptomeninges and the cerebrospinal fluid.
Schläger C, Körner H, Krueger M, Vidoli S, Haberl M, Mielke D, Brylla E, Issekutz T, Cabañas C, Nelson PJ, Ziemssen T, Rohde V, Bechmann I, Lodygin D, Odoardi F, Flügel A.
Nature. 2016 Feb 18;530(7590):349-53. doi: 10.1038/nature16939. Epub 2016 Feb 10.
PMID: 26863192
3 main publications from each PI over the last 5 years
Rejane Rua
1. Infection drives meningeal engraftment by inflammatory monocytes that impairs CNS immunity.
Rua R, Lee JY, Silva AB, Swafford IS, Maric D, Johnson KR, McGavern DB.
Nat Immunol. 2019 Apr;20(4):407-419. doi: 10.1038/s41590-019-0344-y. Epub 2019 Mar 18.
PMID: 30886419
2. Advances in Meningeal Immunity.
Rua R, McGavern DB.
Trends Mol Med. 2018 Jun;24(6):542-559. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2018.04.003. Epub 2018 May 3.
PMID: 29731353
3. T-bet-dependent NKp46+ innate lymphoid cells regulate the onset of TH17-induced neuroinflammation.
Kwong B*, Rua R*, Gao Y, Flickinger J Jr, Wang Y, Kruhlak MJ, Zhu J, Vivier E, McGavern DB, Lazarevic V.
Nat Immunol. 2017 Oct;18(10):1117-1127. doi: 10.1038/ni.3816. Epub 2017 Aug 14.
PMID: 28805812
Marie-Pierre Valignat
1. Amoeboid Swimming Is Propelled by Molecular Paddling in Lymphocytes.
Aoun L, Farutin A, Garcia-Seyda N, Nègre P, Rizvi MS, Tlili S, Song S, Luo X, Biarnes-Pelicot M, Galland R, Sibarita JB, Michelot A, Hivroz C, Rafai S, Valignat MP, Misbah C, Theodoly O.
Biophys J. 2020 Sep 15;119(6):1157-1177. doi: 10.1016/j.bpj.2020.07.033. Epub 2020 Aug 12.
PMID: 32882187
2. Lymphocytes perform reverse adhesive haptotaxis mediated by LFA-1 integrins.
Luo X, Seveau de Noray V, Aoun L, Biarnes-Pelicot M, Strale PO, Studer V, Valignat MP, Theodoly O.
J Cell Sci. 2020 Aug 25;133(16):jcs242883. doi: 10.1242/jcs.242883.
PMID: 32694167
3. A Bistable Mechanism Mediated by Integrins Controls Mechanotaxis of Leukocytes.
Hornung A, Sbarrato T, Garcia-Seyda N, Aoun L, Luo X, Biarnes-Pelicot M, Theodoly O, Valignat MP.
Biophys J. 2020 Feb 4;118(3):565-577. doi: 10.1016/j.bpj.2019.12.013. Epub 2019 Dec 18.
PMID: 31928762