Brain defence by the extracellular matrix protein Cochlin.

Cochlin, an extracellular matrix protein, enhances brain immune defense by reducing bacterial load, with levels increasing during infection in zebrafish, mice, and humans.

• Why it matters: Understanding how the brain defends itself against pathogens is crucial, especially at barrier sites where infections can breach protective structures, posing serious health risks.
• What they did: Researchers analyzed transcriptomes and used in situ hybridization to show Cochlin expression in key barrier regions across species, and demonstrated its role in bacterial clearance through recombinant protein delivery and mutation studies.
• The result: Findings reveal that Cochlin secretion by barrier tissues is vital for brain defense, offering potential targets for therapies to bolster immune responses against neuroinfections.