Abstract 218: Pericytic Laminin Regulates Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity in an Age-Dependent Manner

Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yao Yao ◽  
Jyoti Gautam ◽  
Xuanming Zhang

Introduction: Laminin, a major component of the basement membrane, plays an important role in blood brain barrier (BBB) regulation. At the neurovascular unit, astrocytes, brain endothelial cells, and pericytes synthesize and deposit different laminin isoforms into the basement membrane. Previous studies from our laboratory showed that loss of astrocytic laminin induces age-dependent and region-specific BBB breakdown and intracerebral hemorrhage, suggesting a critical role of astrocytic laminin in vascular integrity maintenance. Laminin α4 (predominantly generated by endothelial cells) has been shown to regulate vascular integrity at embryonic/neonatal stage. The role of pericytic laminin in vascular integrity, however, remains elusive. Methods: We investigated the function of pericyte-derived laminin in vascular integrity using laminin conditional knockout mice. Specifically, laminin floxed mice were crossed with PDGFRβ-Cre line to generate mutants (PKO) with laminin deficiency in PDGFRβ + cells, which include both pericytes and vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs). To distinguish the contribution of pericyte- and vSMC-derived laminin, we also generated a vSMC-specific condition knockout line (TKO) by crossing the laminin floxed mice with Transgelin-Cre mice. In this study, mice of both genders on a C57Bl6 background were used. At least 5-6 animals were used in biochemical and histological analyses in this study. Results: Pericyte-derived laminin was abrogated in all PKO mice. However, only old but not young PKO mice showed signs of BBB breakdown and reduced vessel density, suggesting age-dependent changes. Consistent with these data, further mechanistic studies revealed reduced tight junction proteins, diminished AQP4 expression, and deceased pericyte coverage in old but not young PKO mice. In addition, neither BBB disruption nor decreased vessel density was observed in TKO mice, suggesting that these vascular defects are due to loss of pericyte- rather than vSMC-derived laminin. Conclusions: These results strongly suggest that pericyte-derived laminin active regulates BBB integrity and vessel density in an age-dependent manner. I would like this abstract to be considered for the Stroke Basic Science Award.

Endocrinology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 155 (2) ◽  
pp. 475-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Baello ◽  
Majid Iqbal ◽  
Enrrico Bloise ◽  
Mohsen Javam ◽  
William Gibb ◽  
...  

P-glycoprotein (P-gp), an efflux transporter encoded by the abcb1 gene, protects the developing fetal brain. Levels of P-gp in endothelial cells of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) increase dramatically during the period of peak brain growth. This is coincident with increased release of TGF-β1 by astrocytes and neurons. Although TGF-β1 has been shown to modulate P-gp activity in a number of cell types, little is known about how TGF-β1 regulates brain protection. In the present study, we hypothesized that TGF-β1 increases abcb1 expression and P-gp activity in fetal and postnatal BBB in an age-dependent manner. We found TGF-β1 to potently regulate abcb1 mRNA and P-gp function. TGF-β1 increased P-gp function in brain endothelial cells (BECs) derived from fetal and postnatal male guinea pigs. These effects were more pronounced earlier in gestation when compared with BECs derived postnatally. To investigate the signaling pathways involved, BECs derived at gestational day 50 and postnatal day 14 were exposed to ALK1 and ALK5 inhibitors and agonists. Through inhibition of ALK5, we demonstrated that ALK5 is required for the TGF-β1 effects on P-gp function. Activation of ALK1, by the agonist BMP-9, produced similar results to TGF-β1 on P-gp function. However, TGF-β1 signaling through the ALK1 pathway is age-dependent as dorsomorphin, an ALK1 inhibitor, attenuated TGF-β1-mediated effects in BECs derived at postnatal day 14 but not in those derived at gestational day 50. In conclusion, TGF-β1 regulates P-gp at the fetal and neonatal BBB and both ALK5 and ALK1 pathways are implicated in the regulation of P-gp function. Aberrations in TGF-β1 levels at the developing BBB may lead to substantial changes in fetal brain exposure to P-gp substrates, triggering consequences for brain development.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 78-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lingling Xu ◽  
Abhijit Nirwane ◽  
Yao Yao

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a highly complex and dynamic structure, mainly composed of brain microvascular endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes and the basement membrane (BM). The vast majority of BBB research focuses on its cellular constituents. Its non-cellular component, the BM, on the other hand, is largely understudied due to its intrinsic complexity and the lack of research tools. In this review, we focus on the role of the BM in BBB integrity. We first briefly introduce the biochemical composition and structure of the BM. Next, the biological functions of major components of the BM in BBB formation and maintenance are discussed. Our goal is to provide a concise overview on how the BM contributes to BBB integrity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 1237-1249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruiqing Kang ◽  
Marcin Gamdzyk ◽  
Cameron Lenahan ◽  
Jiping Tang ◽  
Sheng Tan ◽  
...  

It is well-known that stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability all over the world. After a stroke, the blood-brain barrier subsequently breaks down. The BBB consists of endothelial cells surrounded by astrocytes. Microglia, considered the long-living resident immune cells of the brain, play a vital role in BBB function. M1 microglia worsen BBB disruption, while M2 microglia assist in repairing BBB damage. Microglia can also directly interact with endothelial cells and affect BBB permeability. In this review, we are going to discuss the mechanisms responsible for the dual role of microglia in BBB dysfunction after stroke.


2021 ◽  
Vol 218 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne Adams ◽  
Rebecca W. Olsen ◽  
Anja Bengtsson ◽  
Nanna Dalgaard ◽  
Mykola Zdioruk ◽  
...  

Cerebral malaria (CM) is caused by the binding of Plasmodium falciparum–infected erythrocytes (IEs) to the brain microvasculature, leading to inflammation, vessel occlusion, and cerebral swelling. We have previously linked dual intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1)– and endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR)–binding P. falciparum parasites to these symptoms, but the mechanism driving the pathogenesis has not been identified. Here, we used a 3D spheroid model of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) to determine unexpected new features of IEs expressing the dual-receptor binding PfEMP1 parasite proteins. Analysis of multiple parasite lines shows that IEs are taken up by brain endothelial cells in an ICAM-1–dependent manner, resulting in breakdown of the BBB and swelling of the endothelial cells. Via ex vivo analysis of postmortem tissue samples from CM patients, we confirmed the presence of parasites within brain endothelial cells. Importantly, this discovery points to parasite ingress into the brain endothelium as a contributing factor to the pathology of human CM.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. vi280-vi280
Author(s):  
Hiroto Kiguchi ◽  
Mandana Manzari ◽  
Jake Vaynshteyn ◽  
Jeffrey Gerwin ◽  
Daniel Tylawsky ◽  
...  

Abstract OBJECTIVE The Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) medulloblastoma subgroup accounts for ~25% of all cases and has an intermediate prognosis. Current conventional therapies result in devastating morbidities including intellectual disability and secondary malignancies. Although molecularly targeted agents that inhibit the SHH pathway have demonstrated clinical efficacy, recent studies have shown on-target secondary toxicities on bone development suggesting new therapeutic approaches are needed. METHODS We investigated the efficacy of the SHH pathway inhibitor, Vismodegib packaged in a fucoidan-based nanoparticle (Fi-Vis) that targets P-selectin, a protein overexpressed on vascular endothelial cells and induced by low-dose ionizing radiation (XRT) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. This P-selectin targeting nanoparticle drug delivery system shows selectivity toward tumor vasculature and not normal brain vasculature in a genetic SHH medulloblastoma mouse model as assessed by ex vivo infrared imaging and two-photon intravital imaging. RESULTS Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of SHH medulloblastoma tissue following single dose XRT and Fi-Vis treatment (10mg/kg) showed a synergistic inhibition of Gli1 expression (>90% target inhibition). Furthermore, we demonstrate that very low dose XRT (0.25Gy) can induce P-selectin expression specifically within MB tumor vasculature and synergize with low dose Fi-Vis (10mg/kg) to significantly enhance mouse survival (p<0.01) when compared to radiation or Fi-Vis alone. Furthermore, assessment of bone toxicity using micro-CT and histological analysis following Fi-Vis administration in postnatal (P10) mice shows no bone toxicity when compared to free Vismodegib. Finally, in vitro studies using mouse brain endothelial cells suggest at least in part a caveolin-1 mediated transcytosis mechanism of crossing the endothelial blood-brain barrier. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest applicability of combined XRT and tumor vasculature-targeted nanotherapeutic dose de-escalation strategies for SHH medulloblastoma with implications for other pediatric and adult brain tumors.


2009 ◽  
Vol 29 (12) ◽  
pp. 1933-1945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Servio H Ramirez ◽  
Raghava Potula ◽  
Shongshan Fan ◽  
Tess Eidem ◽  
Anil Papugani ◽  
...  

Methamphetamine (METH), a potent stimulant with strong euphoric properties, has a high abuse liability and long-lasting neurotoxic effects. Recent studies in animal models have indicated that METH can induce impairment of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), thus suggesting that some of the neurotoxic effects resulting from METH abuse could be the outcome of barrier disruption. In this study, we provide evidence that METH alters BBB function through direct effects on endothelial cells and explore possible underlying mechanisms leading to endothelial injury. We report that METH increases BBB permeability in vivo, and exposure of primary human brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVEC) to METH diminishes the tightness of BMVEC monolayers in a dose- and time-dependent manner by decreasing the expression of cell membrane-associated tight junction (TJ) proteins. These changes were accompanied by the enhanced production of reactive oxygen species, increased monocyte migration across METH-treated endothelial monolayers, and activation of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) in BMVEC. Antioxidant treatment attenuated or completely reversed all tested aspects of METH-induced BBB dysfunction. Our data suggest that BBB injury is caused by METH-mediated oxidative stress, which activates MLCK and negatively affects the TJ complex. These observations provide a basis for antioxidant protection against brain endothelial injury caused by METH exposure.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii286-iii286
Author(s):  
Hiro Kiguchi ◽  
Daniel Tylawsky ◽  
Jake Vaynshteyn ◽  
Jeffrey Gerwin ◽  
Mandana Manzari ◽  
...  

Abstract OBJECTIVE The Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) medulloblastoma subgroup accounts for ~25% of all cases and has an intermediate prognosis. Current therapies result in devastating morbidities including intellectual disability and secondary malignancies. Although molecularly targeted agents against the SHH pathway have demonstrated efficacy, on-target bone toxicities suggest new therapeutic approaches are needed. METHODS We investigated the SHH pathway inhibitor, vismodegib, packaged in a fucoidan-based nanoparticle (Fi-Vis) that targets P-selectin expressed on endothelial cells and induced by low-dose ionizing radiation (XRT) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. This P-selectin targeting nanoparticle shows selectivity toward tumor and not normal brain vasculature in a GEM SHH medulloblastoma model as assessed by ex vivo infrared imaging and molecular studies. RESULTS Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of SHH medulloblastoma following single dose XRT and Fi-Vis treatment (10mg/kg) showed synergistic reduction of Gli1 expression (&gt;90% target inhibition). We demonstrate that low-dose XRT (0.25Gy) can induce P-selectin expression specifically on medulloblastoma tumor endothelium and synergize with low-dose Fi-Vis (10mg/kg) to significantly enhance mouse survival (p&lt;0.01) compared to radiation or Fi-Vis alone. Assessment of bone toxicity using micro-CT and histological analysis following Fi-Vis administration in postnatal (P10) mice shows no bone toxicity when compared to free vismodegib. Finally, in vitro studies using bEnd.3 brain endothelial cells and in vivo studies using Cav1 knockout mice suggest a caveolin-1 mediated transcytosis mechanism for nanoparticle entry across the blood-brain barrier. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest applicability of combined XRT and tumor vasculature-targeted nanotherapeutic dose de-escalation strategies for SHH medulloblastoma with implications for other pediatric brain tumors.


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