Immune response to inflammation in the CNS of Drosophila
The central nervous system (CNS) can be considered as an immune-privileged organ that is separated from the remaining body by the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The immune response of the nervous system must be tightly controlled to prevent further neurodegeneration. However, the role of infiltrated blood-derived macrophages during the immune response to neurodegeneration has not been fully understood.
We developed an injury model in Drosophila melanogaster where glial immunity induction triggers the infiltration of external macrophages into the pupal CNS. I use this model to investigate the underlying mechanisms of macrophage migration over the BBB as well as a possible detrimental or supportive role of macrophages during CNS immune challenges.