Carmelo Bellardita

Associate prof and Group Leader, Dept of Neuroscience

Title: Macrophages reside in the muscle spindle to control sensorimotor function at millisecond timescale

Abstract: The stretch reflex is a fundamental component of the motor system that orchestrates the coordinated muscle contractions underlying movement. Here we report the discovery of a new population of macrophages with exclusive molecular and functional signatures within the muscle spindle that drives sensory neurons and muscles within a millisecond timescale by glutamatergic transmission. Additionally, we found that MSMP can also respond to the activation of the stretch reflex circuitry by increasing the expression of glutaminase, enabling them to convert the glutamine released by myocytes during muscle contraction into glutamate.

The glutamate-mediated signaling of MSMP and their dynamic response to sensory cues introduces a novel dimension to our understanding of sensation and motor action, potentially offering innovative therapeutic approaches in conditions that affect sensorimotor function. 

Location: Hannover Auditoriet