Maria Suciu

Heterogeneity of the blood-brain barrier

ABSTRACT The brain microvascular network is comprised of capillaries, arterioles and venules, all of which retain – although to a different extent – blood-brain barrier (BBB) properties. Capillaries constitute the largest and tightest microvasculature. In contrast, venules have a looser junctional arrangement, while arterioles have a lower expression of P-gp. Development and maintenance of the BBB depends on the interaction of cerebral endothelial cells with pericytes and astrocytes, which are all heterogeneous in different regions of the central nervous system. At the level of circumventricular organs microvessels are permeable, containing fenestrations and discontinuous tight junctions. In addition, the blood-spinal cord barrier – where the number of pericytes is lower and expression of junctional proteins is reduced – is also more permeable than the BBB. However, much less is known about the cellular, molecular and functional differences among other regions of the brain. This review summarizes our current knowledge on the heterogeneity of the brain microvasculature.

Differences in the molecular structure of the blood-brain barrier in the cerebral cortex and white matter: an in silico, in vitro, and ex vivo study

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is the main interface controlling molecular and cellular traffic between the central nervous system (CNS) and the periphery. It consists of cerebral endothelial cells (CECs) interconnected by continuous tight junctions, and closely associated pericytes and astrocytes. Different parts of the CNS have diverse functions and structures and may be subject of different pathologies, in which the BBB is actively involved. It is largely unknown, however, what are the cellular and molecular differences of the BBB in different regions of the brain. Using in silico, in vitro, and ex vivo techniques we compared the expression of BBB-associated genes and proteins (i.e., markers of CECs, brain pericytes, and astrocytes) in the cortical grey matter and white matter. In silico human database analysis (obtained from recalculated data of the Allen Brain Atlas), qPCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence studies on porcine and mouse brain tissue indicated an increased expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein in astrocytes in the white matter compared with the grey matter. We have also found increased expression of genes of the junctional complex of CECs (occludin, claudin-5, and α-catenin) in the white matter compared with the cerebral cortex. Accordingly, occludin, claudin-5, and α-catenin proteins showed increased expression in CECs of the white matter compared with endothelial cells of the cortical grey matter. In parallel, barrier properties of white matter CECs were superior as well. These differences might be important in the pathogenesis of diseases differently affecting distinct regions of the brain.

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Differentiating to Adipocytes Accumulate Autophagic Vesicles Instead of Functional Lipid Droplets.

Adult bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs) can easily be differentiated into a variety of cells. In vivo transplantation of BMSCs‐differentiated cells has had limited success, suggesting that these cells may not be fully compatible with the cells they are intended to replace in vivo. We investigated the structural and functional features of BMSCs‐derived adipocytes as compared with adipocytes from adipose tissue, and the structure and functionality of lipid vesicles formed during BMSCs differentiation to adipocytes. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry showed fatty acid composition of BMSCs‐derived adipocytes and adipocytes from the adipose tissue to be very different, as is the lipid rafts composition, caveolin‐1 expression, caveolae distribution in their membranes, and the pattern of expression of fatty acid elongases. Confocal microscopy confirmed the absence from BMSCs‐derived adipocytes of markers of lipid droplets. BMSCs‐derived adipocytes cannot convert deuterated glucose into deuterated species of fatty acids and cannot uptake the deuterated fatty acid–bovine serum albumin complexes from the culture medium, suggesting that intra‐cellular accumulation of lipids does not occur by lipogenesis. We noted that BMSCs differentiation to adipocytes is accompanied by an increase in autophagy. Autophagic vesicles accumulate in the cytoplasm of BMSCs‐derived adipocytes and their size and distribution resembles that of Nile Red‐stained lipid vesicles. Stimulation of autophagy in BMSCs triggers the intra‐cellular accumulation of lipids, while inhibition of autophagy prevents this accumulation. In conclusion, differentiation of BMSCs‐derived adipocytes leads to intra‐cellular accumulation of autophagic vesicles rather than functional lipid droplets, suggesting that these cells are not authentic adipocytes. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 863–875, 2016.

Acetaminophen-induced liver injury: Implications for temporal homeostasis of lipid metabolism and eicosanoid signaling pathway.

Acetaminophen is a commonly used drug that induces serious hepatotoxicity when overdosed, leading to increased levels of serum aminotransferases. However, little knowledge exists linking acetaminophen to liver free fatty acids and the eicosanoid-mediated signaling pathway. To this end, adult NMRI mice injected with a dose of 400 mg/kg acetaminophen were monitored for one week post-treatment. Consistent changes were observed in serum transaminases, profile of hepatic free fatty acids, expression of cyclooxygenase, elongase, lipogenesis, and lipolysis genes; as well as in expression patterns of cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 in the liver. Both linoleic acid and arachidonic acid--substrates in eicosanoid biosynthesis--were significantly influenced by overdose, and the latter peaked first among the free fatty acids examined here. There was a close similarity between the temporal dynamics of linoleic acid and aspartate aminotransferases. Moreover, serum transaminases were reduced by cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, but not by cyclooxygenase-1 inhibitors. Our results hence attest to the hazard of acetaminophen overdose on the temporal homeostasis of hepatic concentrations of free fatty acids and expression of key genes underlying liver lipid metabolism. There is also evidence for activation of a cyclooxygenase-mediated signaling pathway, especially the cyclooxygenase 2-prostanoid pathway, during acetaminophen-induced liver injury. Therefore, the results of the present study should provide valuable information to a wide audience, working to understand the health hazard of this drug and the implications of the eicosanoid signaling pathway in liver pathophysiology.

Protective effects of silymarin against bisphenol A-induced hepatotoxicity in mouse liver

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine-disrupting chemical released into the environment, with severe consequences for human health, including metabolic syndrome and associated pathological conditions. Due to limited information on BPA-induced hepatotoxicity, the present study focused on investigating the association between BPA-induced toxicity and inflammatory markers in the liver, and how these injuries may be alleviated using the natural agent silymarin, a flavonoid with antioxidant properties obtained from Silybum marianum. Administration of BPA to male CD-1 mice for 10 days caused a significant increase in the number of cells immunopositive for interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, pro-inflammatory cytokines that mediate the hepatic inflammatory response. Treatment with 200 mg/kg of silymarin concurrently with BPA for 10 days resulted in a diminished level of pro-inflammatory cytokines and in significantly reduced ultrastructural injuries. Additionally, silymarin was able to restore the significantly decreased glycogen deposits observed following BPA exposure to normal levels, thus favoring hepatic glycogenesis. This study represents the first report of silymarin ability to reduce hepatic lesions and to counteract inflammation caused by BPA in mice. A dose of 200 mg/kg silymarin was sufficient to induce a protective effect against structural and ultrastructural injuries induced by BPA and to lower the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines observed in murine liver tissue following exposure to BPA.

Evaluation of Hepatotoxicity with Treatment Doses of Flucytosine and Amphotericin B for Invasive Fungal Infections

Invasive fungal infection is a well-known cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. In this study we aimed to evaluate the hepatotoxicity induced by combined therapy of flucytosine and amphotericin B, at three different doses administered to mice for 14 days: 50 mg/kg flucytosine and 300 μg/kg amphotericin B; 100 mg/kg flucytosine and 600 μg/kg amphotericin B; 150 mg/kg flucytosine and 900 μg/kg amphotericin B. Liver injuries were evaluated by analysis of optic and electron microscopy samples, changes in TNF-α, IL-6, and NF-κB inflammation markers levels of expression, and evaluation of mRNA profiles. Histological and ultrastructural analysis revealed an increase in parenchymal and portal inflammation in mice and Kupffer cells activation. Combined antifungal treatment stimulated activation of an inflammatory pathway, demonstrated by a significant dose-dependent increase of TNF-α and IL-6 immunoreactivity, together with mRNA upregulation. Also, NF-κB was activated, as suggested by the high levels found in hepatic tissue and upregulation of target genes. Our results suggest that antifungal combined therapy exerts a synergistic inflammatory activation in a dose-dependent manner, through NF-κB pathway, which promotes an inflammatory cascade during inflammation. The use of combined antifungal therapy needs to be dose limiting due to the associated risk of liver injury, especially for those patients with hepatic dysfunction.

Data on expression of lipoxygenases-5 and -12 in the normal and acetaminophen-damaged liver

Here we present additional data on the expression of lipoxygenases -5 and -12 in the normal and acetaminophen-damaged liver, which are associated with our manuscript recently published in Chemico-Biological Interactions on lipid metabolism and eicosanoid signaling pathways involved in acetaminophen-induced liver damage in a mouse model (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cbi.2015.10.019 [1]). It has been demonstrated that the expression of lipoxygenase-5 and leukotriene formation are increased in the livers of rats with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced cirrhosis (http://dx.doi.org/10.1053/gast.2000.17831 [2]). In addition, the lipoxygenase-12 is known to be expressed in the resident macrophage population of the liver (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0014-5793(99)00396-8 [3]). Mice were injected with acetaminophen, and at 48 h their livers were processed for immunohistochemistry with anti-mouse lipoxygenase-5 and -12 antibodies. At the same time point, the RNA was also extracted from the liver to assess the expression of lipoxygenase-5 and -12 genes via qPCR analysis. Our results show that lipoxygenase-5 expression, but not that of lipoxygenase-12, changes significantly in the acetominophen-damaged liver.

Mesenchymal stromal cells support the viability and differentiation of thymocytes through direct contact in autologous co-cultures

The development of thymocytes and generation of mature T cells is a complex process that requires spatio-temporal interactions of thymocytes with the other cells of the thymus microenvironment. Recently, mesenchymal stromal cells were isolated from the neonatal human thymus and differentiated into chondrogenic, osteogenic, and adipogenic lineages, just like their bone marrow counterparts. However, their function in thymocyte homeostasis is unknown. In our autologous co-cultures of rat mesenchymal stromal cells and thymocytes, the stromal cells preserve the viability of cultured thymocytes and stimulate the development of CD4−CD8− double-negative and the maturation of mainly CD4+ single-positive thymocytes. Thymocytes also influence the stemness of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells, as their expression of CD44, a marker associated with cellular proliferation and migration, is reduced in co-cultures. Mesenchymal stromal cells’ influence on thymocyte development requires direct physical contact between the two cells and is not mediated by a soluble factor. When the two types of cells were physically separated, the stimulative effects of mesenchymal stromal cells on thymocytes did not occur. Electron microscopy confirmed the close contact between the membranes of thymocytes and mesenchymal stromal cells. Our experiments suggest that membrane exchanges could occur between mesenchymal stromal cells and thymocytes, such as the transfer of CD44 from mesenchymal stromal cells to the thymocytes, but its functional significance for thymocytes development remains to be established. These results suggest that mesenchymal stromal cells could normally be a part of the in vivo thymic microenvironment and form a niche that could sustain and guide the development of thymocytes.