Gene and protein expression profiling of human cerebral endothelial cells activated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha

An increase in permeability of the blood-brain barrier is a critical event in the pathophysiological process of multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) is known to play a crucial role in this process and is a powerful activator of endothelial cell inflammatory responses. Although many reports describe effects of TNFalpha activation in endothelial cells, the molecular mechanisms specific for activation of cerebral endothelial cells remains unclear. The objective of this study was to identify potential pharmaceutical targets for the treatment of multiple sclerosis using molecular profiling techniques. Gene expression measurements (Affymetrix Hu6800 oligonucleotide arrays) and proteomics (two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry) were applied to analyze early alterations in human cerebral endothelial cells (HCEC) activated by TNFalpha. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were used as the reference system. The results presented show that HCEC and HUVEC respond similarly with respect to cell adhesion molecules, chemotaxis, apoptosis and oxidative stress molecules. However, nuclear factors NFkB1 and NFkB2, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 and cofilin 1 are examples of cerebral specific responses. Our results indicate involvements of the urokinase plasminogen activator system and cytoskeletal rearrangements unique to TNFalpha activation of cerebral endothelial cells.