title: Evaluation of Bioenergetic Function in Cerebral Vascular Endothelial Cells.
abstract: The integrity of the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) is critical to prevent brain injury. Cerebral vascular endothelial (CVE) cells are one of the cell types that comprise the BBB; these cells have a very high-energy demand, which requires optimal mitochondrial function. In the case of disease or injury, the mitochondrial function in these cells can be altered, resulting in disease or the opening of the BBB. In this manuscript, we introduce a method to measure mitochondrial function in CVE cells by using whole, intact cells and a bioanalyzer. A mito-stress assay is used to challenge the cells that have been perturbed, either physically or chemically, and evaluate their bioenergetic function. Additionally, this method also provides a useful way to screen new therapeutics that have direct effects on mitochondrial function. We have optimized the cell density necessary to yield oxygen consumption rates that allow for the calculation of a variety of mitochondrial parameters, including ATP production, maximal respiration, and spare capacity. We also show the sensitivity of the assay by demonstrating that the introduction of the microRNA, miR-34a, leads to a pronounced and detectable decrease in mitochondrial activity. While the data shown in this paper is optimized for the bEnd.3 cell line, we have also optimized the protocol for primary CVE cells, further suggesting the utility in preclinical and clinical models.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, West Virginia University; Mitochondrial Evaluation Core, West Virginia University; Center for Basic and Translational Stroke Research, West Virginia University.
authors.forename: Stephanie L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Rellick
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, West Virginia University; Experimental Stroke Core, West Virginia University; Center for Basic and Translational Stroke Research, West Virginia University.
authors.forename: Heng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, West Virginia University; Center for Basic and Translational Stroke Research, West Virginia University.
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Simpkins
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, West Virginia University; Experimental Stroke Core, West Virginia University; Center for Basic and Translational Stroke Research, West Virginia University; XUREN@hsc.wvu.edu.
authors.forename: Xuefang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ren
mesh_terms: D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption