Imaging of intraneural edema by using gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging: experimental compression injury.
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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Compressive and entrapment neuropathies are diseases frequently observed on routine clinical examination. A definitive diagnosis based on clinical symptoms and neurologic findings alone is difficult in many cases, however, and electrophysiologic measurement is used as a supplementary diagnostic method. In this study, we examined to use protein tracers (Evans blue albumin or horseradish peroxidase) and gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging to determine the changes of blood-nerve barrier permeability in compressive neuropathies. METHODS: In dogs, the median nerve was compressed for 1 hour by using five kinds of clips with various strengths (7.5-90-g force). After clip removal, the combined tracers of Evans blue albumin and gadolinium or horseradish peroxidase was administered intravenously as a tracer. After the animals were euthenized, we compared gadolinium-enhanced MR images with Evans blue albumin distribution in the nerve under fluorescence microscopy. The horseradish peroxidase-injected specimens were observed by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: On enhanced MR imaging, intraneural enhancement was caused by 60- and 90-g-force compression after 1 hour. Marked extravasation of protein tracers in the nerve occurred where there was compression by 60- and 90-g-force compression, and capillaries in the nerve showed the opening of tight junction and an increase of vesicular transport under the electron microscopy. This situation indicated breakdown of the blood-nerve barrier, with consequent edema formation and was seen as enhancement on MR imaging. CONCLUSION: Gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging can detect morphologic and functional changes of blood-nerve barrier in the nerve induced by mechanical compression. (+info)
Blood-neural barrier: intercellular communication at glio-vascular interface.
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The blood-neural barrier (BNB), including blood-brain barrier (BBB) and blood-retinal barrier (BRB), is an endothelial barrier constructed by an extensive network of endothelial cells, astrocytes and neurons to form functional "neurovascular units", which has an important role in maintaining a precisely regulated microenvironment for reliable neuronal activity. Although failure of the BNB may be a precipitating event or a consequence, the breakdown of BNB is closely related with the development and progression of CNS diseases. Therefore, BNB is most essential in the regulation of microenvironment of the CNS. The BNB is a selective diffusion barrier characterized by tight junctions between endothelial cells, lack of fenestrations, and specific BNB transporters. The BNB have been shown to be astrocyte dependent, for it is formed by the CNS capillary endothelial cells, surrounded by astrocytic end-foot processes. Given the anatomical associations with endothelial cells, it could be supposed that astrocytes play a role in the development, maintenance, and breakdown of the BNB. Therefore, astrocytes-endothelial cells interaction influences the BNB in both physiological and pathological conditions. If we better understand mutual interactions between astrocytes and endothelial cells, in the near future, we could provide a critical solution to the BNB problems and create new opportunities for future success of treating CNS diseases. Here, we focused astrocyte-endothelial cell interaction in the formation and function of the BNB. (+info)
Endothelial cells constituting blood-nerve barrier have highly specialized characteristics as barrier-forming cells.
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In autoimmune disorders of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) such as Guillain-Barre syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, breakdown of the blood-nerve barrier (BNB) has been considered as a key step in the disease process. Hence, it is important to know the cellular property of peripheral nerve microvascular endothelial cells (PnMECs) constituting the bulk of BNB. Although many in vitro models of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) have been established, very few in vitro BNB models have been reported so far. We isolated PnMECs from transgenic rats harboring the temperature-sensitive SV40 large T-antigen gene (tsA58 rat) and investigated the properties of these "barrier-forming cells". Isolated PnMECs (TR-BNBs) showed high transendothelial electrical resistance and expressed tight junction components and various types of influx as well as efflux transporters that have been reported to function at BBB. Furthermore, we confirmed the in vivo expression of various BBB-forming endothelial cell markers in the endoneurium of a rat sciatic nerve. These results suggest that PnMECs constituting the bulk of BNB have a highly specialized characteristic resembling the endothelial cells forming BBB. (+info)
Blood-neural barrier: its diversity and coordinated cell-to-cell communication.
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The cerebral microvessels possess barrier characteristics which are tightly sealed excluding many toxic substances and protecting neural tissues. The specialized blood-neural barriers as well as the cerebral microvascular barrier are recognized in the retina, inner ear, spinal cord, and cerebrospinal fluid. Microvascular endothelial cells in the brain closely interact with other components such as astrocytes, pericytes, perivascular microglia and neurons to form functional 'neurovascular unit'. Communication between endothelial cells and other surrounding cells enhances the barrier functions, consequently resulting in maintenance and elaboration of proper brain homeostasis. Furthermore, the disruption of the neurovascular unit is closely involved in cerebrovascular disorders. In this review, we focus on the location and function of these various blood-neural barriers, and the importance of the cell-to-cell communication for development and maintenance of the barrier integrity at the neurovascular unit. We also demonstrate the close relation between the alteration of the blood-neural barriers and cerebrovascular disorders. (+info)
The transport of anti-HIV drugs across blood-CNS interfaces: summary of current knowledge and recommendations for further research.
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