# The molecular basis for the translocation of fungi from blood-to-brain.

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS · 2022 · $31,325

## Abstract

PROJECT ABSTRACT
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a highly-restrictive and selective structure that protects the
central nervous system (CNS). A few pathogens, such as Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn), have
managed to overcome the BBB by mechanisms that are still largely unknown. Fungal spores are
prevalent in our environment and we become infected following inhalation of aerosolized spores
from soil, certain types of trees and pigeon droppings. Once inhaled, spores of Cn proliferate in
lung tissue and due to their highly neurotropic nature, disseminate to the CNS. Although
observations of fungal cells in the CNS have been reported in real-time and at autopsy, we still
do not fully understand the molecular interactions at the brain endothelium or the pathways that
mediate the movement of pathogens into the CNS. The proposed research project will address 2
specific aims that are fundamentally different from the parent project but importantly, they address
the over-arching goal which is to resolve the molecular mechanisms that define the infiltration of
Cn into the CNS and the subsequent effect on over-all brain health. While the parent grant focuses
on the role of EphA2-RTK as a mediator of Cn infiltration into the CNS, the supplement study
proposed here will examine how a transcellular-paracellular cross-talk in the BBB can favor the
infiltration of fungal pathogens across the BBB. The aims will test the hypothesis that a
paracellular pathway across the BBB contributes to the infiltration of Cn into the CNS as a
consequence of cytoskeleton remodeling induced by Cn.
Specific aim 1 will examine whether transcytosis and the opening of a paracellular path are
normally linked or co-regulated in healthy brains or if pathogens can selectively activate both
pathways.
Specific aim 2 will involve ex-vivo studies to determine whether pathogens can destabilize tight
junctions and induce a concomitant paracellular opening. The proposed studies will have a direct
impact on developing new therapeutics that could prevent neuroinfections and on designing novel
strategies for technologies geared toward crossing the BBB to deliver cargo to the brain.
The proposed project is intended as a supplement to promote diversity in the biomedical sciences.
The supplement candidate, Amelia Bennett, has a strong interest in neuroscience specifically,
neuroinfections, and was motivated to join my lab so that she could study the molecular
mechanisms that drive a human fungal pathogen, Cn, into the central nervous system (CNS).
This area of research is understudied despite the significant morbidity and mortality that is
associated with fungal meningoencephalitis. Through this project Amelia will acquire expertise in
neuroinfections and use this to establish a niche that will allow her to be competitive in her
research career. The project has been specifically designed to enhance Amelia’s participation in
biomedical research, to provide Amelia with the research skills needed for a suc...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10572996
- **Project number:** 3R01NS110800-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS
- **Principal Investigator:** ANGIE GELLI
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $31,325
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-04-15 → 2025-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10572996

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10572996, The molecular basis for the translocation of fungi from blood-to-brain. (3R01NS110800-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-01 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10572996. Licensed CC0.

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