Tight junction disruption of blood-brain barrier in white matter lesions in chronic hypertensive rats

Neuroreport. 2015 Dec 2;26(17):1039-43. doi: 10.1097/WNR.0000000000000464.

Abstract

Tight junctions (TJs) are the most important structure of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Studies have shown that triggering of white matter lesions (WMLs) may be related to a BBB dysfunction, but rarely have studies observed the progressive changes in TJs longitudinally. In our present study, the ultrastructure of TJs was observed using a transmission electron microscope in Stroke-prone Renalvascular Hypertensive Rats. Western blotting was used to detect TJ-related proteins zonula occludens-1 and occludin. The results showed that in Stroke-prone Renalvascular Hypertensive Rats, the severity of WMLs increased gradually. TJs was destroyed gradually 8 weeks after hypertension. The levels of zonula occludens-1 and occludin also decreased gradually. These data suggested that long-term hypertension may contribute toward the gradual disruption of TJs of BBB and induce WMLs in chronic hypertensive rats.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Pressure
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / ultrastructure*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Hypertension / metabolism
  • Hypertension / pathology*
  • Male
  • Occludin / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Tight Junctions / ultrastructure*
  • White Matter / pathology*
  • Zonula Occludens-1 Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • Occludin
  • Ocln protein, rat
  • Zonula Occludens-1 Protein