Murine Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells Research Articles

Accelerated Extracellular Nucleotide Metabolism in Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells in Experimental Hypercholesterolemia

Hypercholesterolemia affects the neurovascular unit, including the cerebral blood vessel endothelium. Operation of this system, especially in the context of energy metabolism, is controlled by extracellular concentration of purines, regulated by ecto-enzymes, such as e-NTPDase-1/CD39, ecto-5′-NT/CD73, and eADA. We hypothesize that hypercholesterolemia, via modulation of the activity of nucleotide metabolism-regulating ecto-enzymes, deteriorates glycolytic efficiency and energy metabolism of endothelial cells, which may potentially contribute to development of neurodegenerative processes. We aimed to determine the effect of hypercholesterolemia on the concentration of purine nucleotides, glycolytic activity, and activity of ecto-enzymes in the murine brain microvascular endothelial cells (mBMECs). We used 3-month-old male LDLR−/−/Apo E−/− double knockout mice to model hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. The age-matched wild-type C57/BL6 mice were a control group. The intracellular concentration of ATP and NAD and extracellular activity of the ecto-enzymes were measured by HPLC. The glycolytic function of mBMECs was assessed by means of the extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) using the glycolysis stress test. The results showed an increased activity of ecto-5′-NT and eADA in mBMECs of the hypercholesterolemic mice, but no differences in intracellular concentration of ATP, NAD, and ECAR between the hypercholesterolemic and control groups. The changed activity of ecto-5′-NT and eADA leads to increased purine nucleotides turnover and a shift in their concentration balance towards adenosine and inosine in the extracellular space. However, no changes in the energetic metabolism of the mBMECs are reported. Our results confirm the influence of hypercholesterolemia on regulation of purine nucleotides metabolism, which may impair the function of the cerebral vascular endothelium.Graphical abstractThe effect of hypercholesterolemia on the murine brain microvascular endothelial cells (mBMECs). An increased activity of ecto-5′-NT and eADA in mBMECs of the LDLR−/−/Apo E−/− mice leads to a shift in the concentration balance towards adenosine and inosine in the extracellular space with no differences in intracellular concentration of ATP. Figure was created with Biorender.com.

Abstract TMP33: Obesity And Hyperinsulinemia Impair Insulin Receptor Transport In The Brain Microvascular Endothelium

Introduction: Obesity afflicts over 650 million individuals worldwide and is a strong risk factor for both stroke and dementia. Hyperinsulinemia-induced insulin resistance, a finding commonly seen in obesity, is linked to brain insulin deficiency. As insulin is neuroprotective, impaired transport from the peripheral circulation into the brain may underlie the enhanced risk of vascular cognitive impairment in obese individuals. Thus, the focus of this study is to understand the role of aberrant insulin receptor endocytosis in impaired brain insulin transport associated with diet-induced obesity. Methods: C57Bl/6J mice were placed on a control or high fat diet beginning at 6 weeks of age for 24 weeks (n=3-5) and hippocampi collected to image microvascular receptor transport. To isolate the effects of insulin resistance, primary murine brain microvascular endothelial cells (MBEC) were exposed to hyperinsulinemia (HI; 20nM insulin for 12 hours). Naïve and HI cells were stimulated for 15 minutes with 20nM insulin and processed for immunoblotting, microscopy, and flow cytometry (n=3-12). Results: High fat diet fed mice exhibited reduced internalization of insulin receptor-positive vesicles in the vascular endothelium as compared to controls (0.27+/-0.04 v. 0.37+/-0.02). Correspondingly, HI MBECs displayed reduced insulin receptor internalization, disrupted actin architecture, and a decreased abundance of early endosomes as compared to naïve cells (0.90+/-0.12 v. 2.07+/-0.29). HI cells further demonstrated a shift towards increased endocytic vesicle formation and swelling relative to naïve cells (1.90+/-0.21 v. 1.04+/-0.08), the result of which may be due to an observed increase in endoplasmic reticulum stress and impaired nitric oxide synthase capacity. Conclusion: Diet-induced obesity impairs insulin receptor endocytosis into the brain vascular endothelium. These data suggest that hyperinsulinemia induces a compensatory shift in endocytic machinery, with receptors potentially becoming trapped within endocytic buds as opposed to trafficking into the cell. By uncovering the mechanisms linking obesity to cognitive decline, this study will help identify novel therapeutic targets for vascular cognitive impairment and dementia.

Endothelial Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptor 4 Regulates Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability and Promotes a Homeostatic Endothelial Phenotype.

The precise regulation of blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability for immune cells and blood-borne substances is essential to maintain brain homeostasis. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a lipid signaling molecule enriched in plasma, is known to affect BBB permeability. Previous studies focused on endothelial S1P receptors 1 and 2, reporting a barrier-protective effect of S1P1 and a barrier-disruptive effect of S1P2. Here, we present novel data characterizing the expression, localization, and function of the S1P receptor 4 (S1P4) on primary brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs). Hitherto, the receptor was deemed to be exclusively immune cell associated. We detected a robust expression of S1P4 in homeostatic murine BMECs (MBMECs), bovine BMECs (BBMECs), and porcine BMECs (PBMECs) and pinpointed its localization to abluminal endothelial membranes via immunoblotting of fractionated brain endothelial membrane fragments. Apical S1P treatment of BMECs tightened the endothelial barrier in vitro, whereas basolateral S1P treatment led to an increased permeability that correlated with S1P4 downregulation. Likewise, downregulation of S1P4 was observed in mouse brain microvessels (MBMVs) after stroke, a neurologic disease associated with BBB impairment. RNA sequencing and qPCR analysis of BMECs suggested the involvement of S1P4 in endothelial homeostasis and barrier function. Using S1P4 knock-out (KO) mice and S1P4 siRNA as well as pharmacological agonists and antagonists of S1P4 both in vitro and in vivo, we demonstrate an overall barrier-protective function of S1P4. We therefore suggest S1P4 as a novel target regulating BBB permeability and propose its therapeutic potential in CNS diseases associated with BBB dysfunction.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Many neurologic diseases including multiple sclerosis and stroke are associated with blood-brain barrier (BBB) impairment and disturbed brain homeostasis. Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors (S1PRs) are potent regulators of endothelial permeability and pharmacological S1PR modulators are already in clinical use. However, the precise role of S1P for BBB permeability regulation and the function of receptors other than S1P1 and S1P2 therein are still unclear. Our study shows both barrier-disruptive and barrier-protective effects of S1P at the BBB that depend on receptor polarization. We demonstrate the expression and novel barrier-protective function of S1P4 in brain endothelial cells and pinpoint its localization to abluminal membranes. Our work may contribute to the development of novel specific S1PR modulators for the treatment of neurologic diseases associated with BBB impairment.

Abstract 11953: Hemorrhagic Insults And Secondary Takotsubo Syndrome: A New In-vitro Model

Introduction: Hemorrhagic insults result in very devastating forms of cerebral damage. The effects on the blood-brain barrier are so far examined only ex vivo and show reduced integrity. Hypothesis: There is a connection between hemorrhagic bleeding and secondary takotsubo syndrome (TTS), leading to a poor outcome in comorbidity. Our hypothesis is that through the elevated catecholamine levels and proinflammatory cytokine leves demonstrated to be present in the serum of TTS patients, BBB integrity will be impaired by TTS blood exposure more pronounced and/or early than by control group blood exposure (potentially fueling cardiac arrhythmia/ TTS at the brain-heat axis). Methods: Our study aims to establish an in-vitro cell culture model of blood exposure from heathy and TTS patients and measure the time-dependent effect on integriy of brain capillary cell monolayers as a basis to further examine the connection between hemorrhagic insults and TTS. We perfomed blood and serum exposure from healthy and TTS subjects to murine brain microvascular endothelial cells (cerebEND) derived from the cerebellum as an established model of the blood brain barrier and evaluated effects on barrier components by PCR and western blot. Results: Decreased monolayer integrity was readily detectable, reduced levels of Claudin-5 and Occludin were confirmed by RT-qPCR and Westernblot. Both tight-junction proteins show a time-dependent reduction. Conclusions: the development of the model seems successful, as ex-vivo studies previously showed matching results. Exposure of monolayer to TTS patient blood clearly showed a faster and more pronounced disintegration of brain endothelial monolayer.

Insights Into the Mechanisms of Brain Endothelial Erythrophagocytosis.

The endothelial cells which form the inner cellular lining of the vasculature can act as non-professional phagocytes to ingest and remove emboli and aged/injured red blood cells (RBCs) from circulation. We previously demonstrated an erythrophagocytic phenotype of the brain endothelium for oxidatively stressed RBCs with subsequent migration of iron-rich RBCs and RBC degradation products across the brain endothelium in vivo and in vitro, in the absence of brain endothelium disruption. However, the mechanisms contributing to brain endothelial erythrophagocytosis are not well defined, and herein we elucidate the cellular mechanisms underlying brain endothelial erythrophagocytosis. Murine brain microvascular endothelial cells (bEnd.3 cells) were incubated with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP, oxidative stressor to induce RBC aging in vitro)- or PBS (control)-treated mouse RBCs. tBHP increased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and phosphatidylserine exposure in RBCs, which were associated with robust brain endothelial erythrophagocytosis. TNFα treatment potentiated the brain endothelial erythrophagocytosis of tBHP-RBCs in vitro. Brain endothelial erythrophagocytosis was significantly reduced by RBC phosphatidylserine cloaking with annexin-V and with RBC-ROS and phosphatidylserine reduction with vitamin C. Brain endothelial erythrophagocytosis did not alter the bEnd.3 viability, and tBHP-RBCs were localized with early and late endosomes. Brain endothelial erythrophagocytosis increased the bEnd.3 total iron pool, abluminal iron levels without causing brain endothelial monolayer disruption, and ferroportin levels. In vivo, intravenous tBHP-RBC injection in aged (17–18 months old) male C57BL/6 mice significantly increased the Prussian blue-positive iron-rich lesion load compared with PBS-RBC-injected mice. In conclusion, RBC phosphatidylserine exposure and ROS are key mediators of brain endothelial erythrophagocytosis, a process which is associated with increased abluminal iron in vitro. tBHP-RBCs result in Prussian blue-positive iron-rich lesions in vivo. Brain endothelial erythrophagocytosis may provide a new route for RBC/RBC degradation product entry into the brain to produce iron-rich cerebral microhemorrhage-like lesions.

Paracellular permeability changes induced by multi-walled carbon nanotubes in brain endothelial cells and associated roles of hemichannels

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have promising applications in neurology depending on their unique physicochemical properties. However, there is limited understanding of their impacts on brain microvascular endothelial cells, the cells lining the vessels and maintaining the low and selective permeability of the blood-brain barrier. In this study, we examined the influence of pristine MWCNT (p-MWCNT) and carboxylated MWCNT (c-MWCNT) on permeability and tight junction tightness of murine brain microvascular endothelial cells, and investigated the potential mechanisms in the sight of hemichannel activity. Treatment with p-MWCNT for 24 h at subtoxic concentration (20 μg/mL) decreased the protein expression of occludin, disrupted zonula occludens-1 continuity, and elevated monolayer permeability as quantified by transendothelial electrical resistance and paracellular flux of 4000 Da fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran conjugates. Moreover, p-MWCNT exposure also increased hemichannel activity with upregulated protein expression and altered subcellular localization of connexin (Cx)43 and pannexin (Panx)1. p-MWCNT-induced elevation in endothelial permeability could be prevented by hemichannel inhibitor carbenoxolone and peptide blocker of Cx43 and Panx1, indicating the crucial role of activated Cx43 and Panx1 hemichannels. Furthermore, Cx43 and Panx1 hemichannel-mediated ATP release might be involved in p-MWCNT-induced rise in endothelial permeability. In contrast, the above effects caused by p-MWCNT were not observed in cells treated with c-MWCNT, the functionalized form with more stable dispersion and a lower tendency to aggregate. Our study contributes further understanding of the impact of MWCNTs on brain endothelial tightness and permeability, which may have important implications for the safety application of MWCNTs in nanomedicine.

Isolation of Murine Brain and Lung Microvascular Endothelial Cells

Isolation of Murine Brain and Lung Microvascular Endothelial Cells

229 - RT01, A Novel Derivative of the Mitochondria-targeted Hydrogen Sulfide Donor AP39, Reversed Hyperglycaemia-induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Murine Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells

Diabetes is an increasingly prevalent condition. One hallmark of this disease is vascular endothelial dysfunction (VED) and angiopathy due, at least in part, to hyperglycaemia (HG)-induced overproduction of mitochondrial oxidants and accompanying mitochondrial damage. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a physiological mediator, shown to decrease mitochondrial reactive oxygen species during HG. Lower H2S bioavailability has been reported in patients with diabetes, as well as several established animal models of diabetes and supplementation of cells and diabetic animals with very high concentrations of sulfide (as NaSH) has been shown to prevent, but not rescue, HG-induced metabolic changes to mitochondria in vascular endothelial cells. We have therefore, hypothesised that diabetes is a disease of “H2S deficiency” and strategies to target mitochondria to overcome this “deficiency” may represent a novel approach to treat/prevent diabetic VED and angiopathy. To investigate this hypothesis, we have synthesised novel mitochondria-targeted H2S donors containing triphenyl-phoshonium (TPP+) such as AP39 and AP123, which are highly efficacious in animal models of mitochondrial injury (e.g. stroke, myocardial infarction, and ischaemia-reperfusion injury etc). In this study, we have synthesised and evaluated a novel H2S releasing moiety (RT02) and coupled this to TPP+ decanoate. As a model of the ‘diabetic vascular endothelium’, we exposed murine B.End3 microvascular endothelial cells to either constant or intermittent HG for 7 days and then added RT01 (3-300 nM) with HG/intermittent HG for 3 further days. After this time, we determined the ability of RT01 to reverse HG-induced metabolic changes; specifically, mitochondrial ΔΨm (JC-1), mitochondrial superoxide (mitosox), ATP synthesis (by luminescence) and cell viability (LDH). Mitochondrial H2S production was also determined by fluorescence microscopy using AzMC and MitoTracker Red. RT01 caused a concentration-dependent (3-300 nM) increase in mitochondrial H2S levels and released H2S at a slower rate and for a shorter period of time than AP39. At all concentrations tested RT01 (and AP39) reversed HG-induced mitochondrial hyperpolarisation and oxidant production, and restored ATP synthesis. These effects were not observed with equimolar concentrations of the control compounds; RT02 (non-targeted H2S donor) or TPP-decanoate (lacking the H2S donor) indicating that mitochondrial H2S delivery was responsible for ‘mitochondrial protection’. This study further suggests that strategies which target H2S to mitochondria may be a useful therapeutic approach for preventing/inhibiting HG-induced VED and angiopathy, as well as in other indications in which there is mitochondrial dysfunction.

Interleukin 2 Activates Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells Resulting in Destabilization of Adherens Junctions

The pleiotropic cytokine interleukin 2 (IL2) disrupts the blood-brain barrier and alters brain microcirculation, underlying vascular leak syndrome that complicates cancer immunotherapy with IL2. The microvascular effects of IL2 also play a role in the development of multiple sclerosis and other chronic neurological disorders. The mechanism of IL2-induced disruption of brain microcirculation has not been determined previously. We found that both human and murine brain microvascular endothelial cells express constituents of the IL2 receptor complex. Then we established that signaling through this receptor complex leads to activation of the transcription factor, nuclear factor κB, resulting in expression of proinflammatory interleukin 6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1. We also discovered that IL2 induces disruption of adherens junctions, concomitant with cytoskeletal reorganization, ultimately leading to increased endothelial cell permeability. IL2-induced phosphorylation of vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin), a constituent of adherens junctions, leads to dissociation of its stabilizing adaptor partners, p120-catenin and β-catenin. Increased phosphorylation of VE-cadherin was also accompanied by a reduction of Src homology 2 domain-containing protein-tyrosine phosphatase 2, known to maintain vascular barrier function. These results unravel the mechanism of deleterious effects induced by IL2 on brain microvascular endothelial cells and may inform the development of new measures to improve IL2 cancer immunotherapy, as well as treatments for autoimmune diseases affecting the central nervous system.

Lack of intracellular replication of M. tuberculosis and M. bovis BCG caused by delivering bacilli to lysosomes in murine brain microvascular endothelial cells

Invasion and traversal of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) by Mycobacterium tuberculosis cause meningeal tuberculosis (TB) in the central nervous system (CNS). Meningeal TB is a serious, often fatal disease that disproportionately affects young children. The mechanisms involved in CNS invasion by M. tuberculosis bacilli are poorly understood. In this study, we microscopically examined endosomal trafficking and measured survival of M. tuberculosis and M. bovis Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) bacilli in murine brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs). The results show that both species internalize but do not replicate in BMECs in the absence of a cytotoxic response. Confocal microscopy indicates that bacilli-containing vacuoles are associated with the early endosomal marker, Rab5, late endosomal marker, Rab7, and lysosomal marker, LAMP2, suggesting that bacilli-containing endosomes mature into endolysosomes in BMECs. Our data also show that a subset of intracellular M. tuberculosis, but not BCG bacilli, escape into the cytoplasm to avoid rapid lysosomal killing. However, the intracellular mycobacteria examined cannot spread cell-to-cell in BMECs. Taken together, these data show that with the exception of the small terminal cytoplasmic population of bacilli, M. tuberculosis does not modulate intracellular trafficking in BMECs as occurs in macrophages and lung epithelial and endothelial cells.

Isolation of Primary Murine Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells

The blood-brain-barrier is ultrastructurally assembled by a monolayer of brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC) interconnected by a junctional complex of tight and adherens junctions. Together with other cell-types such as astrocytes or pericytes, they form the neurovascular unit (NVU), which specifically regulates the interchange of fluids, molecules and cells between the peripheral blood and the CNS. Through this complex and dynamic system BMECs are involved in various processes maintaining the homeostasis of the CNS. A dysfunction of the BBB is observed as an essential step in the pathogenesis of many severe CNS diseases. However, specific and targeted therapies are very limited, as the underlying mechanisms are still far from being understood. Animal and in vitro models have been extensively used to gain in-depth understanding of complex physiological and pathophysiological processes. By reduction and simplification it is possible to focus the investigation on the subject of interest and to exclude a variety of confounding factors. However, comparability and transferability are also reduced in model systems, which have to be taken into account for evaluation. The most common animal models are based on mice, among other reasons, mainly due to the constantly increasing possibilities of methodology. In vitro studies of isolated murine BMECs might enable an in-depth analysis of their properties and of the blood-brain-barrier under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Further insights into the complex mechanisms at the BBB potentially provide the basis for new therapeutic strategies. This protocol describes a method to isolate primary murine microvascular endothelial cells by a sequence of physical and chemical purification steps. Special considerations for purity and cultivation of MBMECs as well as quality control, potential applications and limitations are discussed.

Isolation of Primary Murine Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells

The blood-brain-barrier is ultrastructurally assembled by a monolayer of brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC) interconnected by a junctional complex of tight and adherens junctions. Together with other cell-types such as astrocytes or pericytes, they form the neurovascular unit (NVU), which specifically regulates the interchange of fluids, molecules and cells between the peripheral blood and the CNS. Through this complex and dynamic system BMECs are involved in various processes maintaining the homeostasis of the CNS. A dysfunction of the BBB is observed as an essential step in the pathogenesis of many severe CNS diseases. However, specific and targeted therapies are very limited, as the underlying mechanisms are still far from being understood. Animal and in vitro models have been extensively used to gain in-depth understanding of complex physiological and pathophysiological processes. By reduction and simplification it is possible to focus the investigation on the subject of interest and to exclude a variety of confounding factors. However, comparability and transferability are also reduced in model systems, which have to be taken into account for evaluation. The most common animal models are based on mice, among other reasons, mainly due to the constantly increasing possibilities of methodology. In vitro studies of isolated murine BMECs might enable an in-depth analysis of their properties and of the blood-brain-barrier under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Further insights into the complex mechanisms at the BBB potentially provide the basis for new therapeutic strategies.This protocol describes a method to isolate primary murine microvascular endothelial cells by a sequence of physical and chemical purification steps. Special considerations for purity and cultivation of MBMECs as well as quality control, potential applications and limitations are discussed.

Tumor-targeting dual peptides-modified cationic liposomes for delivery of siRNA and docetaxel to gliomas

Combinations of drugs promoting anti-angiogenesis and apoptosis effects are meaningful for cancer therapy. In the present study, dual peptides-modified liposomes were designed by attaching two receptor-specific peptides, specifically low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein receptor (Angiopep-2) and neuropilin-1 receptor (tLyP-1) for brain tumor targeting and tumor penetration. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) siRNA and chemotherapeutic docetaxel (DTX) were chosen as the two payloads because VEGF is closely associated with angiogenesis, and DTX can kill tumor cells efficiently. Binding to glioma cells, co-delivery of siRNA and DTX in human glioblastoma cells (U87 MG) and murine brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVEC), VEGF gene silencing, antiproliferation and anti-tumor effects of the dual peptides-modified liposomes were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The dual peptides-modified liposomes persisted the binding ability to glioma cells, enhanced the internalization via specific receptor mediated endocytosis and tissue penetration, thus the dual peptides-modified liposomes loading VEGF siRNA and DTX possessed stimulative gene silencing and antiproliferation activity compared with non-modified and single peptide-modified liposomes. The co-delivery research revealed different intracellular behavior of hydrophilic large molecular and lipophilic small molecule, the former involves endocytosis and subsequent escape of endosome/lysosomes, while the latter experiences passive diffusion of lipophilic small drugs after its release. Furthermore, the dual peptides-modified liposomes showed superiority in anti-tumor efficacy, combination of anti-angiogenesis by VEGF siRNA and apoptosis effects by DTX, after both intratumor and system application against mice with U87 MG tumors, and the treatment did not activate system-associated toxicity or the innate immune response. Combination with the dual peptides-guided tumor homing and penetration, the dual peptides-modified liposomes provide a strategy for effective targeting delivery of siRNA and DTX into the glioma cell and inhibition of tumor growth in a synergistic manner.

Valproic acid suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression via MKP-1 in murine brain microvascular endothelial cells

Inflammation and vascular perturbations are increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Prevailing evidence suggests that valproic acid (VPA), an antiepileptic and mood stabilizer, exhibits not only neuro-protective effects, but also anti-inflammatory effects in neurodegenerative diseases. However, the underlying mechanism contributing to VPA's suppression of inflammatory responses remains unclear. In this study, we explored the inhibitory action of VPA on cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression in bEnd.3 mouse brain microvascular endothelial cells exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a pro-inflammatory stimulus. The LPS-induced increases in COX-2 protein level and COX-2 promoter-luciferase activity were significantly suppressed by VPA. VPA inhibited p38MAPK and JNK phosphorylation in LPS-stimulated bEnd.3 cells. Treatment of cells with a p38MAPK inhibitor (p38MAPK inhibitor III) or a JNK signaling inhibitor (JNK inhibitor II) significantly inhibited LPS-induced COX-2 expression. VPA inhibited LPS-induced NF-κB subunit p65 phosphorylation and κB-luciferase activity. LPS-increased p65 and C/EBPβ binding to the COX-2 promoter region was attenuated in the presence of VPA. In addition, VPA suppression of p38MAPK, JNK and p65 phosphorylation, and subsequent COX-2 expression was restored in cells transfected with mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) dominant negative (DN) mutant. VPA also caused increases in MKP-1 acetylation and MKP-1 phosphatase activity in bEnd.3 cells. In conclusion, VPA may cause MKP-1 activation to dephosphorylate p38MAPK and JNK, leading to decrease in p65 and C/EBPβ binding to the COX-2 promoter region and COX-2 down-regulation in LPS-stimulated bEnd.3 cells. The present study therefore supports the therapeutic value of VPA in alleviating brain inflammatory processes.

Stretch in Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells (cEND) as an <em>In Vitro</em> Traumatic Brain Injury Model of the Blood Brain Barrier

Due to the high mortality incident brought about by traumatic brain injury (TBI), methods that would enable one to better understand the underlying mechanisms involved in it are useful for treatment. There are both in vivo and in vitro methods available for this purpose. In vivo models can mimic actual head injury as it occurs during TBI. However, in vivo techniques may not be exploited for studies at the cell physiology level. Hence, in vitro methods are more advantageous for this purpose since they provide easier access to the cells and the extracellular environment for manipulation. Our protocol presents an in vitro model of TBI using stretch injury in brain microvascular endothelial cells. It utilizes pressure applied to the cells cultured in flexible-bottomed wells. The pressure applied may easily be controlled and can produce injury that ranges from low to severe. The murine brain microvascular endothelial cells (cEND) generated in our laboratory is a well-suited model for the blood brain barrier (BBB) thus providing an advantage to other systems that employ a similar technique. In addition, due to the simplicity of the method, experimental set-ups are easily duplicated. Thus, this model can be used in studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in TBI at the BBB.

Stretch in Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells (cEND) as an <em>In Vitro</em> Traumatic Brain Injury Model of the Blood Brain Barrier

Due to the high mortality incident brought about by traumatic brain injury (TBI), methods that would enable one to better understand the underlying mechanisms involved in it are useful for treatment. There are both in vivo and in vitro methods available for this purpose. In vivo models can mimic actual head injury as it occurs during TBI. However, in vivo techniques may not be exploited for studies at the cell physiology level. Hence, in vitro methods are more advantageous for this purpose since they provide easier access to the cells and the extracellular environment for manipulation.Our protocol presents an in vitro model of TBI using stretch injury in brain microvascular endothelial cells. It utilizes pressure applied to the cells cultured in flexible-bottomed wells. The pressure applied may easily be controlled and can produce injury that ranges from low to severe. The murine brain microvascular endothelial cells (cEND) generated in our laboratory is a well-suited model for the blood brain barrier (BBB) thus providing an advantage to other systems that employ a similar technique. In addition, due to the simplicity of the method, experimental set-ups are easily duplicated. Thus, this model can be used in studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in TBI at the BBB.

Cytoadherence of Plasmodium berghei-Infected Red Blood Cells to Murine Brain and Lung Microvascular Endothelial CellsIn Vitro

Sequestration of infected red blood cells (iRBC) within the cerebral and pulmonary microvasculature is a hallmark of human cerebral malaria (hCM). The interaction between iRBC and the endothelium in hCM has been studied extensively and is linked to the severity of malaria. Experimental CM (eCM) caused by Plasmodium berghei ANKA reproduces most features of hCM, although the sequestration of RBC infected by P. berghei ANKA (PbA-iRBC) has not been completely delineated. The role of PbA-iRBC sequestration in the severity of eCM is not well characterized. Using static and flow cytoadherence assays, we provide the first direct in vitro evidence for the binding of PbA-iRBC to murine brain and lung microvascular endothelial cells (MVEC). We found that basal PbA-iRBC cytoadherence to MVECs was significantly higher than that of normal red blood cells (NRBC) and of RBC infected with P. berghei K173 (PbK173-iRBC), a strain that causes noncerebral malaria (NCM). MVEC prestimulation with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) failed to promote any further significant increase in mixed-stage iRBC adherence. Interestingly, enrichment of the blood for mature parasites significantly increased PbA-iRBC binding to the MVECs prestimulated with TNF, while blockade of VCAM-1 reduced this adhesion. Our study provides evidence for the firm, flow-resistant binding to endothelial cells of iRBC from strain ANKA-infected mice, which develop CM, and for less binding of iRBC from strain K173-infected mice, which develop NCM. An understanding of P. berghei cytoadherence may help elucidate the importance of sequestration in the development of CM and aid the development of antibinding therapies to help reduce the burden of this syndrome.

Enhanced brain distribution and pharmacodynamics of rivastigmine by liposomes following intranasal administration

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common progressive neurodegenerative disorder associated with cholinergic neurons degeneration. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) not only provides protection for the brain but also hinders the treatment and diagnosis of this neurological disease, because the drugs must cross BBB to reach the lesions. The present work was aimed at formulating rivastigmine liposomes (Lp) and cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) modified liposomes (CPP-Lp) to improve rivastigmine distribution in brain and proceed to enhance pharmacodynamics by intranasal (IN) administration and minimize side effects. The results revealed that Lp especially the CPP-Lp can enhance the permeability across the BBB by murine brain microvascular endothelial cells model in vitro. IN administration of rivastigmine solution and rivastigmine liposomes demonstrated the capacity to improve rivastigmine distribution and adequate retention in CNS regions especially in hippocampus and cortex, which were the regions most affected by AD, than that of IV administration. Importantly, the lagging but intense inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activities were relative to the extended release, absorption and retention. In addition, there was very mild nasal toxicity of liposomal formulations. The data suggest that rivastigmine liposomes especially CPP-Lp improve the brain delivery and enhance pharmacodynamics which respect to BBB penetration and nasal olfactory pathway into brain after IN administration, and simultaneously decrease the hepatic first pass metabolism and gastrointestinal adverse effects.

Human and mouse brain-derived endothelial cells require high levels of growth factors medium for their isolation, in vitro maintenance and survival

BackgroundBrain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVECs) constitute the primary limitation for passage of ions and molecules from the blood into the brain through the blood brain barrier. Numerous multi-step procedures for isolating and culturing BMVECs have been described. However, each one demonstrates major limitations in purity of culture and/or low proliferation rate. Our goal was to study the efficiency of our pending patent medium, Endothelial Proliferation Medium (EndoPM), on the isolation and purification of human and murine BMVECs.MethodsBMVECs, cultured in EndoPM were compared to those cultured in a commercial medium EBM. Cultures were characterized by flow cytometric analysis, lineage differentiation, the ability to form tube-like structure, immunofluorescence, molecular analyses and also in an in vivo model assay. Moreover permeability was assayed by monitoring the passage of Dextran-FITC through a tight monolayer of BMVECs grown to confluence in Boyden chambers. One way Anova two-tailed test was utilized for all statistical analyses.ResultsThe properties of ECs in human and murine BMVECs is confirmed by the expression of endothelial markers (CD31, CD105, CD146, Tie-2 and vWF), of representative proangiogenic genes (ICAM1, VCAM1 and integrin ITGAV), of considerable tube-forming ability, with low-density lipoprotein uptake, eNOS and GLUT-1 expression. Furthermore cells are able to express markers of the junctional architecture as VE-cadherin, β-catenin and Claudin-5 and greatly reduce dextran permeability as barrier functional test. Moreover BMVECs spontaneously organize in vascular-like structures and maintain the expression of endothelial markers in an in vivo xenograft model assay. The significant effect of EndoPM is confirmed by the study of proliferation index, survival index and the behaviour of BMVECs and fibroblasts in co-culture conditions.ConclusionHerein we describe a simple and reproducible method for the isolation and expansion of human and mouse BMVECs, based on a newly formulated medium (EndoPM) with optimized concentration of growth factors (EGF, FGF-2 and Bovine Brain Extract-BBE). This procedure should facilitate the isolation and expansion of human and mouse BMVECs with extended lifetime, good viability and purity. This approach may provide an effective strategy to aid phenotypical and functional studies of brain vessels under physiological and pathological conditions.

S100A10 downregulation inhibits the phagocytosis of Cryptococcus neoformans by murine brain microvascular endothelial cells

Cryptococcus neoformans invades the central nerve system through endocytosis by the vascular endothelia. S100A10 interacts with Ca 2+ channel proteins in the vascular endothelia and regulates the filamentous actin network. We hypothesized that S100A10 was involved in the pathogenesis of cryptococcosis and sought to investigate here the effect on the phagocytosis and growth of C. neoformans of S100A10 downregulation by small interfering RNA in murine brain microvascular endothelial cell (MBMECs). We found that S100A10 downregulation significantly reduced the intracellular Ca 2+ concentration ( P < 0.05). Additionally, suppression of S100A10 expression was associated with significantly reduced rate of phagocytosis and budding of C. neoformans. The capsule of intracellular C. neoformans also became thicker after S100A10 was knocked down. The findings demonstrated that knockdown of S100A10 in MBMEC could attenuate the growth of intracellular C. neoformans. We inferred that the S100A10 may play an important role in transpenetration of C. neoformans across the vascular endothelia.