Differential Expression of CD31 and Von Willebrand Factor on Endothelial Cells in Different Regions of the Human Brain: Potential Implications for Cerebral Malaria Pathogenesis.

Smart Ikechukwu Mbagwu,Luis Filgueira

doi:10.3390/brainsci10010031

Smart Ikechukwu Mbagwu, Luis Filgueira

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10010031

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Journal: Brain sciences	Publication Date: Jan 6, 2020
Citations: 12	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Fribourg, Nnamdi Azikiwe University

Abstract

Cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (CMVECs) line the vascular system of the brain and are the chief cells in the formation and function of the blood brain barrier (BBB). These cells are heterogeneous along the cerebral vasculature and any dysfunctional state in these cells can result in a local loss of function of the BBB in any region of the brain. There is currently no report on the distribution and variation of the CMVECs in different brain regions in humans. This study investigated microcirculation in the adult human brain by the characterization of the expression pattern of brain endothelial cell markers in different brain regions. Five different brain regions consisting of the visual cortex, the hippocampus, the precentral gyrus, the postcentral gyrus, and the rhinal cortex obtained from three normal adult human brain specimens were studied and analyzed for the expression of the endothelial cell markers: cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31) and von-Willebrand-Factor (vWF) through immunohistochemistry. We observed differences in the expression pattern of CD31 and vWF between the gray matter and the white matter in the brain regions. Furthermore, there were also regional variations in the pattern of expression of the endothelial cell biomarkers. Thus, this suggests differences in the nature of vascularization in various regions of the human brain. These observations also suggest the existence of variation in structure and function of different brain regions, which could reflect in the pathophysiological outcomes in a diseased state.

Highlights

Cerebral microcirculation provides the anchor for the maintenance of brain functions through its supply of nutrients and gases in addition to the elimination of metabolic wastes from the brain [1,2]
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is principally composed of the cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (CMVECs), which form tight junctions together and are interlaced by astrocytes, pericytes, and a
Our findings revealed that the test samples exhibited microvessels with distinctive delineated endothelial cell linings that expressed brain endothelial cell biomarkers cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31) and vWF in the different brain regions

Summary

Introduction

Cerebral microcirculation provides the anchor for the maintenance of brain functions through its supply of nutrients and gases in addition to the elimination of metabolic wastes from the brain [1,2]. The anatomo-physiological correlations of cerebral vascularization and the significant role of cerebral microvascular morphometrics determines cerebral hemodynamics and vascular responses [3]. These factors contribute to the regulation of cerebral microcirculation and are dependent on the local activities within different parts of the brain. Regulation of cerebral circulation is influenced by autonomic, myogenic, local, and neuronal control [4]. Is central to the regulation of cerebral microcirculation due to characteristic barrier properties and a transport system [1]. The BBB is principally composed of the cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (CMVECs), which form tight junctions together and are interlaced by astrocytes, pericytes, and a

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