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Glucose transporter GLUT1 localization in human foetus telencephalon
D Virgintino1, D Robertson, P Monaghan
1Institute of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, University of Bari School of Medicine, Italy. virgintino@histology.uniba.it
Neuroscience Letters
|December 17, 1998
Summary
The blood-brain barrier
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The blood-brain barrier (BBB) in mature cerebral microvessels features endothelial cells expressing glucose transporter isoform 1 (GLUT1).
- Understanding GLUT1's role in the developing brain is crucial for comprehending early brain metabolism and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence, localization, and developmental regulation of GLUT1 in the human fetal telencephalon.
- To determine the functional implications of GLUT1 expression for the developing blood-brain barrier.
Main Methods:
- Immunogold silver staining (IGSS) on ultrathin sections of fetal human telencephalon.
- Tissue embedding using Lowicryl HM20 and the progressive lowering of temperature (PLT) method.
Main Results:
- GLUT1 molecules were detected in microvascular endothelial cells by the 12th gestational week, with increased expression by the 18th week.
- GLUT1 was primarily localized to ablumenal and lateral endothelial cell membranes, with additional lumenal membrane presence at 18 weeks.
Conclusions:
- GLUT1 expression and subcellular localization are developmentally regulated in the human fetal brain.
- These findings suggest early functionality of the BBB-GLUT1 transporter in the developing human brain, supporting glucose supply for neural development.
Keywords:
Non-programmatic