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Sequential appearance of anionic domains in the developing blood-brain barrier
A W Vorbrodt1, A S Lossinsky, D H Dobrogowska
1Department of Pathological Neurobiology, New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island 10314.
Brain Research. Developmental Brain Research
|March 1, 1990
Summary
Anionic sites in mouse brain micro-blood vessels (MBVs) increase during blood-brain barrier (BBB) development. This suggests a key mechanism for differentiating cerebral microvasculature into BBB-type MBVs.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The blood-brain barrier (BBB) protects the central nervous system but its development involves complex microvascular changes.
- Understanding the molecular components and their distribution during BBB formation is crucial for neurological research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution and changes in anionic sites within mouse brain micro-blood vessels (MBVs) during the development and maturation of the BBB.
- To correlate the appearance of anionic sites with the differentiation of cerebral microvasculature.
Main Methods:
- Utilized electron microscopy to examine anionic site distribution in mouse brain samples.
- Employed cationic colloidal gold (CCG) for labeling anionic sites.
- Analyzed samples from fetal (13th, 19th days) and postnatal (1, 5, 12, 24 days, adult) mice.
Main Results:
- Anionic sites were more abundant on the abluminal than luminal fronts of endothelial cells in fetal and newborn mice.
- A significant increase in luminal anionic sites was observed between the 12th and 24th day of life, coinciding with BBB maturation.
- Maturation of the basement membrane (BM) during the myelination period also showed increased anionic site concentration.
Conclusions:
- The gradual appearance of anionic sites on endothelial cell fronts and in the basement membrane is a key mechanism in the differentiation of cerebral microvasculature into BBB-type MBVs.
- These findings provide insights into the developmental processes underlying BBB formation and integrity.