title: Meningothelial cells react to elevated pressure and oxidative stress.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Meningothelial cells (MECs) are the cellular components of the meninges enveloping the brain. Although MECs are not fully understood, several functions of these cells have been described. The presence of desmosomes and tight junctions between MECs hints towards a barrier function protecting the brain. In addition, MECs perform endocytosis and, by the secretion of cytokines, are involved in immunological processes in the brain. However, little is known about the influence of pathological conditions on MEC function; e.g., during diseases associated with elevated intracranial pressure, hypoxia or increased oxidative stress.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied the effect of elevated pressure, hypoxia, and oxidative stress on immortalized human as well as primary porcine MECs. We used MTS (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium) bioreduction assays to assess the proliferation of MECs in response to treatment and compared to untreated control cells. To assess endocytotic activity, the uptake of fluorescently labeled latex beads was analyzed by fluorescence microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that exposure of MECs to elevated pressure caused significant cellular proliferation and a dramatic decrease in endocytotic activity. In addition, mild oxidative stress severely inhibited endocytosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elevated pressure and oxidative stress impact MEC physiology and might therefore influence the microenvironment of the subarachnoid space and thus the cerebrospinal fluid within this compartment with potential negative impact on neuronal function.
authors: Department of Biomedicine, Ocular Pharmacology and Physiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors: Xiaorong
authors: X
authors: Xin
authors: Bin
authors: B
authors: Fan
authors: Josef
authors: J
authors: Flammer
authors: Neil R
authors: NR
authors: Miller
authors: Gregor P
authors: GP
authors: Jaggi
authors: Hanspeter E
authors: HE
authors: Killer
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Meyer
authors: Albert
authors: A
authors: Neutzner
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