MUG UG TUG

Ute Panzenboeck

Panzenboeck
Assoc.Prof. PD Mag. Dr.rer.nat. Ute Panzenboeck

Otto Loewi Research Center for Vascular Biology, Immunology and Inflammation
Immunology
Medical University of Graz
Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6
8010 Graz, Austria



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Projects within the DK-MCD

Phospholipid transfer protein is expressed in cerebrovascular endothelial cells
and involved in HDL genesis and remodeling at the blood brain barrier
Anil Paul Chirackal Manavalan
graduated

Neuroprotective effects of Astaxanthin in preclinical models of Alzheimer's disease

Joshua Adekunle Babalola
graduated

Pharmacologic modulation of cholesterol and amyloid-beta metabolism in an
in vitro model of the blood-brain barrier

Elham Fanaee-Danesh
graduated

Identifying the mechanisms behind cerebral insulin resistance in Alzheimer’s disease

Chaitanya Chakravarthi Gali
graduated

Mechanisms of sterol transport at the blood-brain barrier - implications of
ABCG1and apoM

Alexandra Glasmacher-Kober
graduated

Nuclear receptor signalling in immune-metabolic functions of cerebrovascular endothelial cells

Magdalena Lang

Gestational diabetes mellitus modulates cholesterol homeostasis in human fetoplacental endothelium

Yidan Sun
graduated

ApoA-I and apoJ modulate amyloid-beta metabolism at the blood-brain barrier

Martina Zandl-Lang
graduated
   

Research interest

A major focus of our group is to define the role of nuclear receptors (NRs), in particular liver X receptors (LXRs), as lipid sensors and regulators at distinct endothelial barriers. It is well established that LXRs are key regulators of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) metabolism. Increasing evidence suggests that HDL and HDL-associated (apolipo)proteins protect against cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases by modulating cholesterol flux. Low HDL levels might also contribute to the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes. On the other hand, LXRs beneficially affect glucose homeostasis. Remarkably, diabetes is also a significant risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In addition to their beneficial effects on HDL metabolism, LXR agonists decrease the production of amyloid β peptide (Aβ), suggesting a link between HDL metabolism and neurodegeneration.

The entrance of plasma lipoproteins into the brain is restricted due to the presence of tight junctions at the blood-brain barrier (BBB). At the same time, cerebrovascular endothelial cells express several lipoprotein receptors, lipid transporters, and apolipoproteins required for cholesterol turnover. Our group has characterized LXR-regulated cellular cholesterol efflux pathways in brain capillary endothelial cells (BCEC). Recent research projects have established functions of several HDL-associated proteins and/or LXR targets in cholesterol transport and metabolism at the BBB. Currently, the group investigates the interaction of these pathways with the production and processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP)/Aβ at the cerebrovascular interface between the brain and the circulation. Recent data indicated that nuclear receptor ligands (and simvastatin) may modulate the processing of APP and Aβ production and clearance into a more beneficial, non-amyloidogenic direction. In addition, de-regulated insulin signaling in brains and BCEC of AD-mice is possibly mediated by Aβ. While HDL itself also exerts anti-inflammatory actions on endothelial cells, LXRs control immune regulatory functions and can reduce inflammatory cellular reactions, including cytokine release at the BBB. Our DK-MCD students aim to investigate aspects of the relationship in nuclear receptor and insulin signaling between Aβ, cholesterol homeostasis, and immune-metabolic functions in BBB endothelial cells.

 

Curriculum vitae

  1988 - 1994 Studies of Biology (Zoology and Biochemistry), University of Graz, Austria
  1992 - 1994 Master thesis at the Institute of Zoology, Department of Physiology, University of Graz, Austria, graduation "Master of Science" (Mag. rer. nat.)
  1995 - 1997 PhD Thesis at the Institute of Medical Biochemistry, University of Graz, Austria, graduation to Dr. rer. nat. (with distinction)
  1998 - 2000 PostDoc at the Heart Research Institute, Sydney, Australia
  2000 - 2004 PostDoc at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz
  2004 - 2005 Research Assistant at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, Austria
  2006 - 2010 University Assistant at the Institute of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Graz, Austria
  2008 Habilitation in Pathophysiology and Immunology
  2010 - 2011 Assistant Professor, Institute of Pathophysiology and Immunology, Medical University of Graz, Austria
  2011 - 2020 Associate Professor, Institute of Pathophysiology and Immunology, Medical University of Graz, Austria
  2012 - 2020 Speaker of the Curricular Committee of the PhD program Molecular Medicine at the Medical University of Graz
  2013 - 2015 Board member of the Research Promotion Committee of the Medical University of Graz
  2016 - 2020 2nd Deputy Chair Immunology and Pathophysiology, Medical University of Graz, Austria
   

 

Publications

Grants