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Reposted by Masha Prager-Khoutorsky

Biomedical Picture of the Day BPoD @bpodaily.bsky.social · 19d

Targeting the brain's vasopressin neurons could be a novel treatment for high blood pressure

📹 Ning Gu et al @mashapk.bsky.social lab @mcgilluniversity.bsky.social in @cp-neuron.bsky.social

➡️ bpod.org.uk/archive/2025... with
@rooph.bsky.social

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Masha Prager-Khoutorsky @mashapk.bsky.social · 19d

This beautiful video showing a 3D reconstruction of a “hungry” microglia was generated by Celeste Laporte, a brilliant PhD student in the lab and a co-author on the paper: www.cell.com/neuron/abstr...

Microglia regulate neuronal activity via structural remodeling of astrocytes

Gu et al. showed that in rats fed a high-salt diet, reactive microglia accumulate around vasopressin-secreting neurons, phagocytosing astrocytic elements and pruning astrocytes. This causes glutamate ...

www.cell.com

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Masha Prager-Khoutorsky @mashapk.bsky.social · Aug 20

Thank you very much, Ciaran!

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Masha Prager-Khoutorsky @mashapk.bsky.social · Aug 20

Thank you very much, Caroline!

Masha Prager-Khoutorsky @mashapk.bsky.social · Aug 19

Thrilled to share our new study showing microglia prune astrocyte processes in adult brain, to regulate synaptic transmission, hypothalamic neuron activity, and salt-induced hypertension in🐀. Huge team effort - congratulations to all🥂🍾🎉

Neuron @cp-neuron.bsky.social · Aug 19

Online now:

Microglia regulate neuronal activity via structural remodeling of astrocytes

Gu et al. showed that in rats fed a high-salt diet, reactive microglia accumulate around vasopressin-secreting neurons, phagocytosing astrocytic elements and pruning astrocytes. This causes glutamate spillover, increased neuronal activity, and excessive vasopressin release, contributing to salt-induced hypertension. The study reveals a novel mechanism by which microglia regulate synaptic transmission and neuronal activity through structural remodeling of astrocytes in the adult brain.

dlvr.it

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Baptiste Lacoste @blacoste.bsky.social · Jul 4

Microglial control of cerebral capillary basal tone. Congrats to @eyolab.bsky.social & team ! #cerebrovascular

Microglial cyclooxygenase-1 modulates cerebral capillary basal tone in vivo in mice - Nature Communications

The role of myeloid cells in vascular regulation remains incompletely understood. Here, the authors show that microglia are the only myeloid cells that localize to capillaries and that they maintain b...

www.nature.com

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Reposted by Masha Prager-Khoutorsky

Baptiste Lacoste @blacoste.bsky.social · Jul 4

#Pericytes #cerebrovascular

Pericyte pannexin1 controls cerebral capillary diameter and supports memory function - Nature Communications

Brain contractile pericytes control capillary blood flow to match neuronal demands. Here, the authors show that pericytes express ATP-releasing pannexin1 channels and establish their role in the regul...

doi.org

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Masha Prager-Khoutorsky @mashapk.bsky.social · May 4

Congratulations 🥳 🎉👏!!!

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Jesper Sjöström @pjsjostrom.bsky.social · Apr 14

🧪 The Sjöström Lab in Montreal is looking for a postdoc! We study cortical circuits, synaptic plasticity, and NMDAR signalling using custom 2-photon microscopy and optogenetics. We seek candidates with strong patch-clamp and/or 2-photon imaging expertise, and a relevant publication track record.

We are looking for an outstanding postdoctoral researcher to join our team at McGill University. The Sjöström lab studies neocortical circuits, with a focus on synaptic plasticity, NMDA receptor signaling, 2-photon optogenetics, and advanced 2-photon imaging. We are particularly interested in candidates with strong expertise in whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology and/or 2-photon imaging, and a solid track record of relevant publications.
Applicants should be experienced with whole-cell recordings and/or cutting-edge imaging approaches. Responsibilities will include performing experiments, analyzing and presenting data locally and internationally, writing manuscripts, and occasionally mentoring junior lab members.
Our lab is based at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, in vibrant, multicultural Montreal—a city that offers exceptional quality of life. McGill and its neighbouring universities form one of the most dynamic neuroscience communities in the world.
For examples of our current directions, see:
• Chou et al The Innovation 2025, www.cell.com/the-innovation/fulltext/S2666-6758(24)00173-5
• Wong et al Neuron 2024, www.cell.com/neuron/fulltext/S0896-6273(23)00767-5
The position is fully funded with a competitive salary. Candidates are also expected to apply for external funding, for which we provide strong support. Opportunities are available for both Canadian and international applicants.
To apply, please send a Letter of Intent, CV, brief research statement, and contact information for three referees to Dr. Jesper Sjöström (jesper.sjostrom@mcgill.ca). In the subject line, include "Postdoc" followed by your name.
Application deadline: July 31, 2025.
Website: http://plasticity.muhc.mcgill.ca
McGill University is committed to diversity and equity in employment.

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Reposted by Masha Prager-Khoutorsky

Jesse Shapiro @bjesseshapiro.bsky.social · Apr 24

Come join us at @mcgill.ca as an assistant professor in virus-host interactions! Please share widely.

mcgill.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/McGill...

Assistant Professor (Research), Department of Microbiology & Immunology, (C2-240724)

Please refer to the How to Apply for a Job (for External Candidates) job aid for instructions on how to apply. If you are an active McGill employee (ie: currently in an active contract or position at ...

mcgill.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com

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Masha Prager-Khoutorsky @mashapk.bsky.social · Apr 24

An iconic example of a successful combination of basic and clinical/translational research, offering real promise for treating a currently incurable disease #Fibromyalgia -congrats to all the authors🥂🍾👏🏽

Neuron @cp-neuron.bsky.social · Apr 24

Online now:

The gut microbiota promotes pain in fibromyalgia

Cai et al. revealed that transplanting gut microbiota from women with fibromyalgia—a chronic widespread pain condition of unknown etiology—into mice induces pain. It also induces phenotypes commonly observed in patients, such as immune activation, metabolomic changes, and reduced skin innervation.

dlvr.it

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Reposted by Masha Prager-Khoutorsky

Jonathan Kipnis @jonykipnis.bsky.social · Mar 21

Excited to share our work by exceptional postdoc, Kyungdeok (KD) Kim. 2025 marks 10th anniversary of meningeal lymphatic discovery and I can’t be happier celebrating it with this work addressing how lymphatic dysfunction leads to cognitive deficits ||

www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Meningeal lymphatics-microglia axis regulates synaptic physiology

Meningeal lymphatics serve as an outlet for cerebrospinal fluid, and their dysfunction is associated with various neurodegenerative conditions. Previo…

www.sciencedirect.com

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Reposted by Masha Prager-Khoutorsky

Mathieu Ferron @mathieuferron.bsky.social · Mar 18

Tenure track position in pharmacology or toxicology at McGill, in Montreal!!!

www.nature.com/naturecareer...

Assistant / Associate Professor (Tenure Track), Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics - Montréal, Quebec (CA) job with McGill University | 12837963

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences – Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Toxicology (L000054

www.nature.com

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Reposted by Masha Prager-Khoutorsky

Caroline Menard @caromenard666.bsky.social · Feb 27

So excited to share the work of the fantastic Katarzyna, 1st 🧪PhD student of my lab 🧠, out in @natureneuro.bsky.social 🥂🥳
Cheers to the team, thanks to our precious collaborators and support from @braincanada.bsky.social #CIHR @fondsrechercheqc.bsky.social #newPI

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Astrocytic cannabinoid receptor 1 promotes resilience by dampening stress-induced blood–brain barrier alterations - Nature Neuroscience

The mechanisms of neurovascular adaptations underlying stress resilience remain unclear. Here the authors show that the astrocytic endocannabinoid system modulates the blood–brain barrier changes duri...

www.nature.com

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Masha Prager-Khoutorsky @mashapk.bsky.social · Feb 27

Amazing!!! Congrats to all!!🥂🍾!!!

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Catherine Dulac @dulaclab.bsky.social · Feb 26

Our latest findings on social behavior circuits is out: how does the brain responds to social isolation? Terrific work by @dingliu.bsky.social et al. uncovering a circuit with similar neural architecture as physiological needs (hunger, thirst, sleep..). Detailed thread soon.
rdcu.be/ebo63

A hypothalamic circuit underlying the dynamic control of social homeostasis

Nature - New data on brain-wide circuits centred around two interconnected hypothalamic neuron populations provide significant mechanistic insights into the emergence of social need during social...

rdcu.be

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Masha Prager-Khoutorsky @mashapk.bsky.social · Feb 25

Thank you!

Masha Prager-Khoutorsky @mashapk.bsky.social · Feb 24

Thank you, Caroline!

Masha Prager-Khoutorsky @mashapk.bsky.social · Feb 24

Thank you, Ciaran!

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Masha Prager-Khoutorsky @mashapk.bsky.social · Feb 24

In our new preprint, we show that microglia can prune astrocyte processes to regulate synaptic transmission and hypothalamic neuron activity. This work represents a huge team effort spanning ~10 years, and we are very excited to finally share it with the world!

bioRxiv Neuroscience @biorxiv-neursci.bsky.social · Feb 19

Microglia regulate neuronal activity via structural remodeling of astrocytes https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.02.18.638874v1

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Masha Prager-Khoutorsky @mashapk.bsky.social · Feb 6

Congratulations🥂🍾🎉

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Paul Frankland @franklandlab.bsky.social · Dec 27

Just bumping this up for those who may have missed earlier announcements-- we have a new PI position in the Neuroscience & Mental Health program here at SickKids. Neural and glial mechanisms in cognition.

Scientist/Senior Scientist – Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto – Canadian Association for Neuroscience

can-acn.org

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Masha Prager-Khoutorsky @mashapk.bsky.social · Dec 26

Working on manuscript revisions during holidays🎄🎅🕎🍩🕯️ in 🇲🇽 with🍹🍸!!!

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Masha Prager-Khoutorsky @mashapk.bsky.social · Dec 20

Thank you very much, Ciaran!

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Masha Prager-Khoutorsky @mashapk.bsky.social · Dec 20

Huge congrats to Dr. Amirah Hicks on successfully defending her PhD! 🎉🥂👏 Amirah is my first trainee to earn a doctoral degree, and I couldn't be more proud of her accomplishments. I'm incredibly excited for the new chapter that lies ahead for her!

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