Courtesy / University of Coimbra
Scientists study the impact of biological sex on brain barriers and newborn neurodevelopment.
How the biological sex influences the neurodes -development and susceptibility to infections from newborns?
This is the central issue of a research team at the University of Coimbra (UC), which is studying the brain of newborns to understand this impact.
Based on previous scientific studies, which revealed a greater male susceptibility Conditions such as sepsis – an unregulated and widespread immune response from the body to an infection that can lead to organs damage and, if not treated rapidly, leads to multiple organ failure and death.
Over the course of a year and a half, this project, Barriersreveal, wants to unravel the Sex role in brain barriers during the neonatal period (The first 28 days of the baby’s life).
Research leader Vanessa Coelho-Santos explains that “scientific studies have shown that babies and children male are at greater risk of developing neurodes -development disorders, such as autism e hyperactivity, often associated with neonatal infections and neuroinflamation ”.
But more knowledge is lacking: “Knowledge physiologically how biological sex influences the maturation of brain vessels and barriers, as well as neuroimmunological composition, and how male susceptibility shapes to certain disorders or why female is more resilient; And this is what we seek to reveal with this investigation, ”reads in a statement sent to ZAP.
It is important study the brain in the period immediately after birthcontinues Vanessa: “The neonatal brain is particularly unprotected due to the intense vascular growth and the maturation of the blood -boned barrier, but also to the immature immune system that protects our brain, and, in the face of these vulnerabilities, it is essential to know their impacts deeply Physiological processes of growth so that it is possible to develop, in the future, interventions that prevent the spread of problems that may originate at this time of vulnerability of the human brain ”.
Therefore, scientists are studying brain barriers that control communication with the peripheral system. These include the meninges, which involve and protect the brain and contain immune cells; the blood -boned barrier, which regulates the passage of blood and blood cells to the brain, ensuring their protection; and the choroid plexus, which, in addition to producing the liquid surrounding the brain, also helps to control the immune response.
These structures play an essential role in the defense of the brain, influencing the way it reacts to infections, toxins and inflammation in the early days of life.
This preclinical project with pounds It aims to analyze immunological composition and maturation in the various barriers between the male and female sexes during the neonatal period. “As there is no molecular data available in humans, the study begins in preclinical models, in order to later compare the results with human tissues,” continues Vanessa Coelho-Santos.
Researchers will get brain information through real -time brain images, recorded from Two Photon Microscopy – A state -of -the -art image methodology that allows to capture high resolution images over time.
Will also be used flow cytometrya laboratory technique that allows you to examine various cell properties.
“These interfaces will be studied in a comparative way between newborns of both sexes so that it is possible to realize that differences exist between females and males, and how these differentiating aspects explain and lead to the already proven more susceptibility. From male to infections and diseases of neurodes -development, ”explains the UC researcher.
