Featuring: Katerina Akassoglou, Ph.D.
Senior Investigator, Gladstone Institutes
Director of the Center for Neurovascular Brain Immunology-Professor of Neurology, UCSF
The Annual Petit Family Lecture and Visiting
Professorship in Multiple Sclerosis and
Neuroimmunology is organized by the Department of
Neurology and Neuroscience. This event recognizes the
Petit Family's contributions to supporting care and
research for multiple sclerosis (MS). It features a
distinguished active researcher or clinician whose work
advances the understanding of MS progression,
neurodegeneration, and repair in the field of clinical or
translational neuroimmunology.
Cost: Free (Registration Required), Doors Open: 3 p.m. Seminar Begins: 4 p.m.
Registration: Please register by emailing Dr. Jaime Imitola, MD imitola@uchc.edu
Program Highlights
3 p.m. - Doors Open to All Guests
3:55 p.m. - Welcome & Opening Remarks
4 p.m. - Lecture by Dr. Katerina Akassoglou
5 p.m. - Q&A and Presentation of Commemorative
Plaque
5:30 - 6 p.m. – Reception
Lecture Overview
The communication between the brain, immune and
vascular systems is a key contributor to the onset and
progression of neurological diseases. Our research has
dissected the cellular and molecular interface blood
proteins utilize to interact with nervous system cells. We
uncovered pleiotropic roles for the blood coagulation
factor fibrin in neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration,
and inhibition of repair. A first-in-class fibrin-targeting
immunotherapy we designed to selectively block
neurotoxic inflammation without adverse eOects on
hemostasis has now advanced in Phase 1b clinical
trials. The blood-brain-immune interface can be
harnessed for pioneering discoveries and therapeutics
for neurological diseases.
Who Should Attend
MS Clinicians and Researchers
Undergraduates, Medical and PhD Student
Patients and Families
For more information, contact: Karen Mendoza at kmendoza@uchc.edu