PhD defence: Astrocytes as Active Players in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder

Zala Zebec

Autoimmune diseases affect approximately 10% of the global population, imposing a substantial personal and societal burden. In Neuromyelitis Spectrum Optica Disorder (NMOSD) the immune system targets the astrocytic Aquaporin-4, leading to astrocyte loss and subsequent neurodegeneration.

In this PhD thesis, we investigated whether astrocytes, the primary target cells in NMOSD, are merely passive victims of autoimmune attack or may instead actively contribute to disease outcome.

Assessment Committee

Professor Finn Thorup Sellebjerg, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen (Chair)

Associate professor Yaseelan Palarasah, University of Southern Denmark (SDU)

Dr Luca Peruzzotti-Jametti, University of Cambridge

Supervisors

Professor Shohreh Issazadeh-Navikas

Professor Cord Herbert Brakebusch

Associate Professor Yawei Liu

Graduate Programme

Molecular Mechanisms of Disease

Place

Biocenter, BRIC, 1-2-03, Room: Seminar room (2nd floor), Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200 Copenhagen

Copy of thesis

Email address to gain access to the thesis: zala.zebec@bric.ku.dk 

You will either receive a copy of the thesis or be informed where you can read a physical copy.

Recipients of copies of the thesis are not allowed to share or distribute it due to copyright compliance.