The FWF-funded project "Transport of Extracellular Vesicles across the Blood-Brain Barrier" granted to Winfried Neuhaus and Andreas Brachner started on 01.02.2020. Within the project at the Competence Unit Molecular Diagnostics (HMD) - Center Health and Bioresources they will investigate the transport of extracellular vesicles across the blood-brain barrier and their use as biomarkers.
Little is known about extracellular vesicles (EVs). They can be understood as "cell membrane-enveloped spheres" released by cells and used for communication between cells and organs. EVs carry information inside that can be task- and cell-specific, they are also sent to predefined recipient cells. The content of EVs are ideally for the use as biomarkers, as the cargo is protected from external influences by the membrane shell and can be isolated from body fluids such as blood, saliva or cerebral spinal fluid.
The 4-years project is focused specifically on researching the interaction and crossing of EVs across the blood-brain barrier. Although it is known that EVs can cross biological barriers such as the blood-brain barrier, the mechanisms are unclear. The blood-brain barrier protects the central nervous system from toxic substances, pathogens and harmful blood plasma components. It also restricts and regulates the exchange of ions, molecules and proteins between the brain and the bloodstream, thus ensuring homeostasis in the central nervous system. However, the blood-brain barrier is difficult to overcome even for drug compounds.
One major aim of the project is to identify the receptors on the cell surfaces for the EVs, which could be exploited for drug transport. Furthermore, EVs themselves can be loaded with drugs and used as vehicles for drug transport. EVs are also sent out by tumor cells to possibly initiate metastasis. In the project, different tumor cell lines are used to collect their EVs and examine their EV’s interactions with blood-brain barrier models.
Another part of the project deals with EVs released during cerebral ischemia, which is a main event during stroke and traumatic brain injury. In addition to the basic findings, the EVs will be evaluated with regard to their potential as biomarkers for the different diseases. The project will not only improve the knowledge on EVs and their interaction with the blood-brain barrier and identify disease-typical biomarkers, but may lead to new therapeutic options for stroke and other neurological injuries in the future.
The project strengthens the EV research field at HMD and has synergies with the ongoing ITN Marie Curie Network project proEVLifeCycle, coordinated by Christa Noehammer and Winfried Neuhaus. This deals with extracellular vesicles in prostate cancer and their interaction with biological barriers.