Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 29, 2026

In Vitro and In Vivo Models to Study Corneal Endothelial-mesenchymal Transition
Published on: August 20, 2016
Inflammation-induced endothelial to mesenchymal transition promotes brain endothelial cell dysfunction and occurs
Claudio Derada Troletti1, Ruud D Fontijn1, Elizabeth Gowing2
1Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, MS Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, de Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) has a major role in maintaining brain homeostasis through the specialized function of brain endothelial cells (BECs). Inflammation of the BECs and loss of their neuroprotective properties is associated with several neurological disorders, including the chronic neuro-inflammatory disorder multiple sclerosis (MS). Yet, the underlying mechanisms of a defective BBB in MS remain largely unknown. Endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) is a pathophysiological process in which endothelial cells lose their specialized function and de-differentiate into mesenchymal cells. This transition is characterized by an increase in EndoMT-related transcription factors (TFs), a downregulation of brain endothelial markers, and an upregulation of mesenchymal markers accompanied by morphological changes associated with cytoskeleton reorganization. Here, we postulate that EndoMT drives BEC de-differentiation, mediates inflammation-induced human BECs dysfunction, and may play a role in MS pathophysiology. We provide evidence that stimulation of human BECs with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and interleukin (IL)-1β promotes EndoMT, a process in which the TF SNAI1, a master regulator of EndoMT, plays a crucial role. We demonstrate the involvement of TGF-β activated kinase 1 (TAK1) in EndoMT induction in BECs. Finally, immunohistochemical analysis revealed EndoMT-associated alterations in the brain vasculature of human post-mortem MS brain tissues. Taken together, our novel findings provide a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying BECs dysfunction during MS pathology and can be used to develop new potential therapeutic strategies to restore BBB function.
More Related Videos
07:05TGF-β-mediated Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition EndMT and the Functional Assessment of EndMT Effectors using CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing
Published on: February 26, 2021
12:55A Microphysiological System to Study Leukocyte-Endothelial Cell Interaction during Inflammation
Published on: December 9, 2021
Related Concept Videos
Inflammation
Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...
Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps
Cooperative Allosteric Transitions
Phase Transitions: Vaporization and Condensation
Phase Transitions: Sublimation and Deposition