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Mechanisms of neuropsychiatric lupus: The relative roles of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier versus blood-brain barrier.

ABSTRACT: The pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE) is believed to include the entry of circulating neuropathic antibodies to the brain via a pathologically permeable blood-brain barrier (BBB). Nevertheless, direct evidence of BBB pathology or mechanisms underlying BBB dysfunction is missing. Here, we examined BBB integrity in an established NPSLE mouse model (MRL/faslpr/lpr). Surprisingly, challenging the barrier with various exogenous tracers demonstrated insignificant changes in BBB permeability. Furthermore, electron microscopy showed no ultrastructure changes supporting hyper-permeability. However, we found that abnormal function of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB) in the choroid plexus underlies brain exposure to neuropathic antibodies. Considerable intrathecal lymphocyte infiltration likely occurs through the BCSFB, accompanied by epithelial hyper-permeability to antibodies. Our results challenge the commonly held view of BBB disruption in NPSLE, supporting a shift in focus to BCSFB dysfunction as a causative factor in the disease.

SUBMITTER: Gelb S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5994369 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Mechanisms of neuropsychiatric lupus: The relative roles of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier versus blood-brain barrier.

Gelb Sivan S Stock Ariel D AD Anzi Shira S Putterman Chaim C Ben-Zvi Ayal A

Journal of autoimmunity 20180404

The pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE) is believed to include the entry of circulating neuropathic antibodies to the brain via a pathologically permeable blood-brain barrier (BBB). Nevertheless, direct evidence of BBB pathology or mechanisms underlying BBB dysfunction is missing. Here, we examined BBB integrity in an established NPSLE mouse model (MRL/fas<sup>lpr/lpr</sup>). Surprisingly, challenging the barrier with various exogenous tracers demonstrated insignificant changes in BBB ...[more]

PMID: 29627289

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Project description:BackgroundHypertension is an important risk factor for cerebrovascular disease, including stroke and dementia. Both in humans and animal models of hypertension, neuropathological features such as brain atrophy and oedema have been reported. We hypothesised that cerebrovascular damage resulting from chronic hypertension would manifest itself in a more permeable blood-brain barrier and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier. In addition, more leaky barriers could potentially contribute to an enhanced interstitial fluid and cerebrospinal fluid formation, which could, in turn, lead to an elevated intracranial pressure.MethodsTo study this, we monitored intracranial pressure and estimated the cerebrospinal fluid production rate in spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive rats (Wistar Kyoto, WKY) at 10 months of age. Blood-brain barrier and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier integrity was determined by measuring the leakage of fluorescein from the circulation into the brain and cerebrospinal fluid compartment. Prior to sacrifice, a fluorescently labelled lectin was injected into the bloodstream to visualise the vasculature and subsequently study a number of specific vascular characteristics in six different brain regions.ResultsBlood and brain fluorescein levels were not different between the two strains. However, cerebrospinal fluid fluorescein levels were significantly lower in SHR. This could not be explained by a difference in cerebrospinal fluid turnover, as cerebrospinal fluid production rates were similar in SHR and WKY, but may relate to a larger ventricular volume in the hypertensive strain. Also, intracranial pressure was not different between SHR and WKY. Morphometric analysis of capillary volume fraction, number of branches, capillary diameter, and total length did not reveal differences between SHR and WKY.ConclusionIn conclusion, we found no evidence for blood-brain barrier or blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier leakage to a small solute, fluorescein, in rats with established hypertension.

Dataset Information

Mechanisms of neuropsychiatric lupus: The relative roles of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier versus blood-brain barrier.

Publications

Mechanisms of neuropsychiatric lupus: The relative roles of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier versus blood-brain barrier.

Similar Datasets

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