Adverse effect of cyclosporin A on barrier functions of cerebral microvascular endothelial cells after hypoxia-reoxygenation damage in vitro

Cell Mol Neurobiol. 2007 Nov;27(7):889-99. doi: 10.1007/s10571-007-9209-2. Epub 2007 Oct 13.

Abstract

Hypoxia and post-hypoxic reoxygenation induces disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Alterations of the BBB function after hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury remain unclear. Cyclosporin A (CsA), a potent immunosuppressant, induces neurotoxic effects by entering the brain, although the transport of CsA across the BBB is restricted by P-glycoprotein (P-gp), a multidrug efflux pump, and tight junctions of the brain capillary endothelial cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the BBB after H/R damage is vulnerable to CsA-induced BBB dysfunction. We attempted to establish a pathophysiological BBB model with immortalized mouse brain capillary endothelial (MBEC4) cells. The effects of CsA on permeability and P-gp activity of the MBEC4 cells were then examined. Exposure to hypoxia for 4 h and reoxygenation for 1 h (H/R (4 h/1 h)) produced a significant decrease in P-gp function of MBEC4 cells, without changing cell viability and permeability for sodium fluorescein and Evan's blue-albumin at 7 days after H/R (4 h/1 h). CsA-induced hyperpermeability and P-gp dysfunction in MBEC4 monolayers at 7 days after H/R (4 h/1 h) were exacerbated. The possibility that CsA penetrates the BBB with incomplete functions in the vicinity of cerebral infarcts to induce neurotoxicity has to be considered.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Albumins / pharmacokinetics
  • Animals
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / drug effects*
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / metabolism
  • Capillary Permeability / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Transformed
  • Cyclosporine / toxicity*
  • Endothelial Cells / cytology
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects*
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Evans Blue / pharmacokinetics
  • Fluorescein / pharmacokinetics
  • Fluorescent Dyes / pharmacokinetics
  • Glucose / pharmacokinetics
  • Hypoxia / metabolism*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / toxicity*
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Oxygen / pharmacology

Substances

  • Albumins
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Evans Blue
  • Cyclosporine
  • Glucose
  • Oxygen
  • Fluorescein