Institute of Chemistry
Topic
Characteriztion of novel meningeal lyve 1 positive macrophages
PhD. program
Biochemistry
Year of admission
2026
Name of the supervisor
MSc. Santosh Ram Jadhav, PhD.
Contact:
Receiving school
Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University Bratislava
Annotation
The meninges, particularly the dura mater, form a highly vascularized and immunologically active interface between the central nervous system (CNS) and the periphery. Recent discoveries of meningeal lymphatic vessels (MLVs) have reshaped our understanding of CNS fluid drainage, immune surveillance, and their involvement in aging and neurodegenerative disease.
Despite growing interest in the functional consequences of MLV dysfunction, the cellular mechanisms that govern their development, maintenance, and remodeling remain poorly understood. In particular, the identity of local immune cell populations that support lymphatic integrity and how these interactions change with aging and pathology are largely unexplored.
In the thesis, we seek to determine whether Lyve1⁺ macrophages contribute to lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic vessel maintenance through trophic signaling, including VEGF-C–VEGFR3–dependent pathways, or through direct involvement in vessel patterning and remodeling. Using single-cell RNA sequencing we will systematically characterize meningeal immune and stromal cell populations, with a central focus on Lyve1⁺ macrophages in the dura mater. A key objective is to define transcriptionally distinct Lyve1⁺ and Lyve1⁻ macrophage states, map their interactions with lymphatic endothelial cells, and identify molecular programs associated with lymphatic support.
Despite growing interest in the functional consequences of MLV dysfunction, the cellular mechanisms that govern their development, maintenance, and remodeling remain poorly understood. In particular, the identity of local immune cell populations that support lymphatic integrity and how these interactions change with aging and pathology are largely unexplored.
In the thesis, we seek to determine whether Lyve1⁺ macrophages contribute to lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic vessel maintenance through trophic signaling, including VEGF-C–VEGFR3–dependent pathways, or through direct involvement in vessel patterning and remodeling. Using single-cell RNA sequencing we will systematically characterize meningeal immune and stromal cell populations, with a central focus on Lyve1⁺ macrophages in the dura mater. A key objective is to define transcriptionally distinct Lyve1⁺ and Lyve1⁻ macrophage states, map their interactions with lymphatic endothelial cells, and identify molecular programs associated with lymphatic support.