scholarly journals Age-Associated Changes in the Immune System and Blood–Brain Barrier Functions

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 1632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Erickson ◽  
William Banks
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Blood Brain Barrier ◽  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Brain Barrier ◽  
Immune Functions ◽  
Blood Brain ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Brain Barriers

Age is associated with altered immune functions that may affect the brain. Brain barriers, including the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and blood–CSF barrier (BCSFB), are important interfaces for neuroimmune communication, and are affected by aging. In this review, we explore novel mechanisms by which the aging immune system alters central nervous system functions and neuroimmune responses, with a focus on brain barriers. Specific emphasis will be on recent works that have identified novel mechanisms by which BBB/BCSFB functions change with age, interactions of the BBB with age-associated immune factors, and contributions of the BBB to age-associated neurological disorders. Understanding how age alters BBB functions and responses to pathological insults could provide important insight on the role of the BBB in the progression of cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disease.

Understanding the Physiology of the Blood-Brain Barrier: In Vitro Models

Physiology ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 287-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald A. Grant ◽  
N. Joan Abbott ◽  
Damir Janigro
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Tissue Culture ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Blood Brain Barrier ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
Brain Barrier ◽  
Blood Brain ◽  
Brain Tissue Culture ◽  
The Brain

Endothelial cells exposed to inductive central nervous system factors differentiate into a blood-brain barrier phenotype. The blood-brain barrier frequently obstructs the passage of chemotherapeutics into the brain. Tissue culture systems have been developed to reproduce key properties of the intact blood-brain barrier and to allow for testing of mechanisms of transendothelial drug permeation.

scholarly journals Characterization of the Blood–Brain Barrier Integrity and the Brain Transport of SN-38 in an Orthotopic Xenograft Rat Model of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catarina Chaves ◽  
Xavier Declèves ◽  
Meryam Taghi ◽  
Marie-Claude Menet ◽  
Joelle Lacombe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Brain Barrier ◽  
Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma ◽  
Brain Barrier ◽  
Brain Delivery ◽  
Pontine Glioma ◽  
Anticancer Drug Delivery ◽  
Blood Brain ◽  
The Brain

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) hinders the brain delivery of many anticancer drugs. In pediatric patients, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) represents the main cause of brain cancer mortality lacking effective drug therapy. Using sham and DIPG-bearing rats, we analyzed (1) the brain distribution of 3-kDa-Texas red-dextran (TRD) or [14C]-sucrose as measures of BBB integrity, and (2) the role of major ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters at the BBB on the efflux of the irinotecan metabolite [3H]-SN-38. The unaffected [14C]-sucrose or TRD distribution in the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem regions in DIPG-bearing animals suggests an intact BBB. Targeted proteomics retrieved no change in P-glycoprotein (P-gp), BCRP, MRP1, and MRP4 levels in the analyzed regions of DIPG rats. In vitro, DIPG cells express BCRP but not P-gp, MRP1, or MRP4. Dual inhibition of P-gp/Bcrp, or Mrp showed a significant increase on SN-38 BBB transport: Cerebrum (8.3-fold and 3-fold, respectively), cerebellum (4.2-fold and 2.8-fold), and brainstem (2.6-fold and 2.2-fold). Elacridar increased [3H]-SN-38 brain delivery beyond a P-gp/Bcrp inhibitor effect alone, emphasizing the role of another unidentified transporter in BBB efflux of SN-38. These results confirm a well-preserved BBB in DIPG-bearing rats, along with functional ABC-transporter expression. The development of chemotherapeutic strategies to circumvent ABC-mediated BBB efflux are needed to improve anticancer drug delivery against DIPG.

scholarly journals Innate Immunity Cells and the Neurovascular Unit

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 3856 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Presta ◽  
Marco Vismara ◽  
Fabiana Novellino ◽  
Annalidia Donato ◽  
Paolo Zaffino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Innate Immunity ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Blood Brain Barrier ◽  
Brain Barrier ◽  
Secondary Neoplasms ◽  
Blood Brain ◽  
Innate Immunity Cells

Recent studies have clarified many still unknown aspects related to innate immunity and the blood-brain barrier relationship. They have also confirmed the close links between effector immune system cells, such as granulocytes, macrophages, microglia, natural killer cells and mast cells, and barrier functionality. The latter, in turn, is able to influence not only the entry of the cells of the immune system into the nervous tissue, but also their own activation. Interestingly, these two components and their interactions play a role of great importance not only in infectious diseases, but in almost all the pathologies of the central nervous system. In this paper, we review the main aspects in the field of vascular diseases (cerebral ischemia), of primitive and secondary neoplasms of Central Nervous System CNS, of CNS infectious diseases, of most common neurodegenerative diseases, in epilepsy and in demyelinating diseases (multiple sclerosis). Neuroinflammation phenomena are constantly present in all diseases; in every different pathological state, a variety of innate immunity cells responds to specific stimuli, differentiating their action, which can influence the blood-brain barrier permeability. This, in turn, undergoes anatomical and functional modifications, allowing the stabilization or the progression of the pathological processes.

The immune system mediates blood-brain barrier damage; possible implications for pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric illnesses

1995 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 114-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y.D. Van Der Werf ◽  
M.J.L. De Jongste ◽  
G.J. Ter Horst
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Blood Brain Barrier ◽  
Immune Activation ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokine ◽  
Brain Barrier ◽  
Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽  
Blood Brain ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
The Brain

SummaryIn this investigation the effects of immune activation on the brain are characterized. In order to study this, we used a model for chronic immune activation, the myocardial infarction, and intravenous injections with the pro-inflammatory cytokine Tumour Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α). The incentive for this study is the observation that myocardial infarction is accompanied by behavioural and neuronal abnormalities. The effects of myocardial infarction on the brain and its functioning are widespread. In order to examine the mechanism through which this interaction occurs, a group of rats underwent an experimentally induced myocardial infarction whereafter immunohistochemistry was performed on slices of the brain. This experiment revealed regional serum protein extravasation, pointing to leakage of the blood-brain barrier. This process occurred in certain cortical, subcortical and hindbrain areas in discrete patches. The leakage was co-localized with the expression of the immune activation marker ICAM-1. A second group of rats was therefore injected with TNF-α, a major pro-inflammatory cytokine, to assess the involvement of the immune system in the effects shown. This procedure rendered the same results. It is concluded that myocardial infarction may interfere with the integrity of the blood-brain barrier and possibly with brain functioning through activation of the immune system. The relevance for pathophysiological processes is discussed.

scholarly journals Blood-brain barrier behavior during temporary concussion

1960 ◽  
Vol 198 (6) ◽  
pp. 1296-1298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benedict Cassen ◽  
Richard Neff
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Blood Brain Barrier ◽  
Normal Activity ◽  
Brain Barrier ◽  
Electrolyte Balance ◽  
Barrier Membranes ◽  
Phosphate Ions ◽  
Blood Brain ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
The Brain

Experimental evidence is obtained that, coincident with a state of not too severe concussion, the blood-brain barrier system becomes more permeable to phosphate ions. The permeability returns to normal when the animal recovers and shows normal activity. Arguments are presented in favor of the hypothesis that dysfunction of the central nervous system during concussion is related to a disturbed electrolyte balance in the fluids of the brain caused by a piezochemical disturbance of the blood-brain barrier membranes (presumably the astropods of the astrocytic cells).

scholarly journals Carrier-Mediated Delivery of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Ligands to the Central Nervous System: Structural Tolerance and Potential of the l-system Amino Acid Transporter at the Blood-Brain Barrier

2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 168-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Reichel ◽  
David J. Begley ◽  
N. Joan Abbott
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Blood Brain Barrier ◽  
Brain Barrier ◽  
Side Chain ◽  
Large Neutral Amino Acid ◽  
Metabotropic Glutamate ◽  
Blood Brain ◽  
L System ◽  
The Brain

The brain endothelial large neutral amino acid carrier (l-system) is well suited for facilitated drug transport to the brain because of its high transport capacity and relatively broad structural substrate tolerance. The authors have examined the potential of this transporter for central nervous system (CNS) delivery of a new family of compounds derived from the large neutral amino acid phenylglycine. These compounds are highly selective for specific isoforms of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) but will only become effective therapeutics for CNS diseases such as ischemic disorders, stroke, and epilepsy if they can effectively cross the blood-brain barrier. Using the immortalized rat brain endothelial cell line RBE4 as in vitro blood-brain barrier model, the authors have studied the interaction of phenylglycine and selected derivatives with the l-system-mediated transport of l-[3H]-histidine. The transport of l-histidine was characteristic of the l-system in vivo with the following kinetic parameters: Km 135 ± 18 μmol/L, Vmax 15.3 ± 1.13 nmol/min/mg protein, and KD 2.38 ± 0.84 μL/min/mg protein. The affinities of the l-system for phenylglycine and the derivatives investigated increased in the order S-4-carboxy-phenylglycine (Ki = 16 mmol/L) < R-phenylglycine (2.2 mmol/L) < S-3-hydroxy-phenylglycine (48 μmol/L) < S-phenylglycine (34 μmol/L), suggesting that a negative charge at the side chain or R-configuration is detrimental for carrier recognition, whereas neutral side chain substituents are well tolerated. The authors have further shown (1) that the mode of interaction with the l-system of S-phenylglycine and S-3-hydroxy-phenylglycine is competitive, and (2) that the transporter carries these two agents into the cell as shown by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of the RBE4 cell contents. The study provides the first evidence for the potential of S-phenylglycine derivatives for carrier-mediated delivery to the CNS and outlines the substrate specificity of the l-system at the blood-brain barrier for this class of mGluR ligands. As the affinities of S-phenylglycine and S-3-hydroxy-phenylglycine for the l-system carrier are even higher than those of some natural substrates, these agents should efficiently enter CNS via this route. Possible strategies for a synergistic optimization of phenylglycine-derived therapeutics with respect to desired activity at the CNS target combined with carrier-mediated delivery to overcome the blood-brain barrier are discussed.

scholarly journals Tembusu Virus entering the central nervous system caused nonsuppurative encephalitis without disrupting the blood-brain barrier

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheng Yang ◽  
Yufei Huang ◽  
Yonghong Shi ◽  
Xuebing Bai ◽  
Ping Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Blood Brain Barrier ◽  
Neurological Symptoms ◽  
Brain Barrier ◽  
Poultry Industry ◽  
Blood Brain ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Tembusu Virus ◽  
The Brain

Tembusu Virus (TMUV) is an emerging and re-emerging zoonotic pathogen that adversely affects poultry industry in recent years. TMUV disease is characterized by nonsuppurative encephalitis in ducklings. The duckling infection model was established to study the mechanism of TMUV crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) into the central nervous system (CNS). Here, we showed that no obvious clinical symptoms and enhancement of BBB permeability occurred at the early stage of infection (3∼5 dpi). While simultaneously virus particles were observed by transmission electron microscopy in the brain, inducing the accumulation of inflammatory cytokines. Neurological symptoms and disruption of BBB appeared at the intermediate stage of infection (7∼9 dpi). It was confirmed that TMUV could survive and propagate in brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs), but did not affect the permeability of BBB in vivo and in vitro at an early date. In conclusion, TMUV enters the CNS then causes encephalitis, and finally destruct the BBB, which may be due to the direct effect of TMUV on BMECs and the subsequent response of “inflammatory storm”. IMPORTANCE The TMUV disease has caused huge losses to the poultry industry in Asia, which is potentially harmful to public health. Neurological symptoms and their sequelae are the main characters of this disease. However, the mechanism of how this virus enters the brain and causes encephalitis is unclear. In this study, we confirmed that the virus entered the CNS and then massively destroyed BBB and the BBB damage was closely associated with the subsequent outbreak of inflammation. TMUV may enter the CNS through the transcellular and “Trojan horse” pathways. These findings can fill the knowledge gap in the pathogenesis of TMUV-infected poultry and be benefit for the treatment of TMUV disease. What’s more, TMUV is a representative to study the infection of avian flavivirus. Therefore, our studies have significances both for understanding of the full scope of mechanisms of TMUV and other flavivirus infection, and conceivably, for therapeutics.

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