Peptidergic regulation of glymphatic flow
The glymphatic system is a network of tunnel-like perivascular spaces that promotes cerebrospinal fluid movement into and interstitial fluid through the brain, ultimately draining into the traditional lymphatic system. Despite the critical housekeeping function of the glymphatic system, molecular regulators of glymphatic function in the brain are unknown. One aspect of our lab investigates the potential for peptidergic signaling, specifically vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and arginine vasopressin (AVP), to regulate glymphatic function. Our long-term research goal is to expand our understanding of circadian synchrony beyond neural networks within the clock center of the mammalian brain, the suprachiasmatic nucleus, to the entire brain and body.
AVP may alter glymphatics by changing expression of the water channel aquaporin 4 (AQP4, green; DAPI, red)