The effects of blood-brain barrier disruption on glial cell function in multiple sclerosis.
Dysfunction of the BBB (blood-brain barrier) is a major hallmark of MS (multiple sclerosis). Studies in our laboratories over the last decade have shown that increased BBB permeability is associated with decreased expression of TJ (tight junction) proteins in brain capillary endothelial cells. Results have revealed that TJ abnormalities were most common in active lesions (42% of vessels affected), but were also present in inactive lesions (23%) and in MS normal-appearing white matter (13%). Importantly, TJ abnormality was also positively associated with leakage of the serum protein fibrinogen which has recently been shown to be an activator of microglia. TJ abnormality and the resultant vascular permeability in both lesional and non-lesional white matter may impair tissue homoeostasis, which may have effects on disease progression, repair mechanisms and drug delivery.
McQuaid
Stephen
S
Molecular Pathology Laboratory, Institute of Pathology, Royal Group of Hospitals Trust, Grosvenor Road, Belfast BT12 6BL, UK. s.mcquaid@qub.ac.uk
Cunnea
Paula
P
McMahon
Jill
J
Fitzgerald
Una
U
D000818:Animals; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000473:pathology*