Brain derived neurotrophic factor does not act on adult human cerebral endothelial cells

Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), known to promote survival of neurons, has recently been involved in the regulation of endothelial cells and was shown to possess immunoregulatory properties. We therefore asked whether BDNF has immunoregulating effects in human cerebral endothelial cells (HCEC). Adult HCEC expressed vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and HLA class II following stimulation with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interferon (IFN)-gamma, respectively, but not after BDNF treatment. Addition of BDNF did not modulate the effects of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma on HCEC, including TNF-alpha induced interleukin-8. Fluorescent activated cell sorting, RT-PCR, and immunohistochemistry indicated that HCEC do not express the trkB or p75 receptors involved in BDNF signaling. These results demonstrate that adult HCEC are not a likely target for BDNF. Novel factors regulating HCEC remain to be identified.