How does GM-CSF prevent brain damage after traumatic injury?

Project Details

Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is best known as a haematopoietic cytokine however recent evidence suggests that it also acts to protect neurons after brain injury. GM-CSF can cross the blood-brain barrier and this cytokine has previously been found to be neuroprotective against stroke. Nevertheless, GM-CSF could be involved in acute inflammatory effects after brain injury and therefore could exert negative as well as positive effects at different stages. This project will measure effects of GM-CSF treatment on cultured neurons, astrocytes and microglia as well as investigating which cell types in the normal developing brain produce GM-CSF.

Researchers

  • Dr Jenny Gunnersen
  • Dr Sandy Shultz

Research Group

Gunnersen laboratory: Neuron development and plasticity



Faculty Research Themes

Neuroscience

School Research Themes

Biomedical Neuroscience, Molecular Mechanisms of Disease



Key Contact

For further information about this research, please contact the research group leader.

Department / Centre

Anatomy and Physiology

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