Research line: The role of cerebral leukocyte-endothelial interactions in neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative condition

International Conference on Sports Medicine and Fitness

March 23-25, 2015 Chicago, USA

Juliana Carvalho Tavares

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Sports Med Doping Stud

Abstract :

Over the past 14 years, I have developed research projects whose focus is the study of the role of leukocyte-endothelial interactions in different neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative conditions such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the experimental model of Multiple Sclerosis. In order to characterize the dynamics of leukocyte recruitment in the central nervous system in vivo, we used a precious tool, the intravital microscopy, which allows the online visualization of leukocyte trafficking steps, known as leukocyte rolling and adhesion, in the microcirculation. These steps are essential for the transmigration of cells and molecules associated with the immune response, which may interact with central nervous system cells (neurons, microglia, oligodendrocytes, astrocytes), causing their activation and sometimes death or neuro degeneration. Our recently published paper, evaluate the interactions between the regular program of prior exercise and the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) -mediated responses. In summary, we demonstrate attenuated clinical score, an increase of neurotrophic factor (BDNF in brain and spinal cord, with a tendency of lesser demyelization volume in the spinal cord of the EAE exercised group compared with the unexercised animals.