IL-1β disrupts the initiation of blood-brain barrier development by inhibiting endothelial Wnt/β-catenin signaling

Summary: During neuroinflammation, the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β) impacts blood-brain barrier (BBB) function by disrupting brain endothelial tight junctions, promoting vascular permeability, and increasing transmigration of immune cells. Here, we examined the effects of Il-1β on the in vivo initiation of BBB development. We generated doxycycline-inducible transgenic zebrafish to secrete Il-1β in the CNS. To validate the utility of our model, we showed Il-1β dose-dependent mortality, recruitment of neutrophils, and expansion of microglia. Using live imaging, we discovered that Il-1β causes a significant reduction in CNS angiogenesis and barriergenesis. To demonstrate specificity, we rescued the Il-1β induced phenotypes by targeting the zebrafish il1r1 gene using CRISPR-Cas9. Mechanistically, we determined that Il-1β disrupts the initiation of BBB development by decreasing Wnt/β-catenin transcriptional activation in brain endothelial cells. Given that several neurodevelopmental disorders are associated with inflammation, our findings support further investigation into the connections between proinflammatory cytokines, neuroinflammation, and neurovascular development

Particle Physics Outreach to K-12 Schools and Opportunities in Undergraduate Education

To develop an increase in societal interest in the fundamental sciences of particle physics and particularly for maintaining the support structures needed to succeed in experiments that take several decades to develop and complete, requires strong educational back-grounding at all levels of the instructional system and notably at early stages in the process. While many (particularly young) students might show an early interest and aptitude for science and mathematics at the elementary level, the structures are not necessarily in place to capture, nurture and develop such nascent interests. To encourage and strengthen such interests, strong connections must be made at K-12 and Undergraduate levels. The paper discusses the on-going efforts and makes recommendations

Particle Physics Outreach to K-12 Schools and Opportunities in Undergraduate Education

To develop an increase in societal interest in the fundamental sciences of particle physics and particularly for maintaining the support structures needed to succeed in experiments that take several decades to develop and complete, requires strong educational back-grounding at all levels of the instructional system and notably at early stages in the process. While many (particularly young) students might show an early interest and aptitude for science and mathematics at the elementary level, the structures are not necessarily in place to capture, nurture and develop such nascent interests. To encourage and strengthen such interests, strong connections must be made at K-12 and Undergraduate levels. The paper discusses the on-going efforts and makes recommendations