Research Overview

The objective of my research program is to understand how sex differences modify brain responses to acute and chronic systemic inflammation. I combine in vivo mouse models of experimental sepsis and cerebral ischemia with in vitro brain microvascular endothelial cell (BMEC) models to address my research questions.  Current studies are focused on how tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) maintains cerebral microvascular homeostasis during acute systemic inflammation.

Overarching Research Questions in the Brown Lab

  • When and under what circumstances are females protected against acute (and chronic) systemic inflammation compared to males?
  • How do the brain and periphery communicate to resolve systemic inflammation and restore homeostasis?
  • Does the cerebral microvasculature function as a conduit between systemic and brain inflammation?

Current Projects to address these Questions