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Full-Text Articles in Neuroscience and Neurobiology

Targeting The Cerebrovasculature In Sepsis: A Focus On The Brain Microvascular Endothelium, Divine C. Nwafor Jan 2021

Targeting The Cerebrovasculature In Sepsis: A Focus On The Brain Microvascular Endothelium, Divine C. Nwafor

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a critical interface between the systemic circulation and the brain. It is a specialized multicellular unit composed of brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs), pericytes, a basement membrane, and astrocytic end foot processes. BMECs are a principal component of the BBB that provide the structural framework needed for the stringent transport of molecules into the brain. BMEC dysfunction permits the trafficking of neurotoxins from systemic circulation into the brain, which ultimately exacerbates BBB dysfunction and neuroinflammation. Studies have shown that BBB dysfunction is a key determinant of cognitive decline in sepsis. However, there are critical knowledge …


Effects Of Gestational Ozone Exposure On Privileged Placental And Brain Barrier Integrity, Alexander I. Hamm Jan 2020

Effects Of Gestational Ozone Exposure On Privileged Placental And Brain Barrier Integrity, Alexander I. Hamm

Theses and Dissertations

Ambient outdoor ozone, a common of component of photochemical smog and urban air pollution, is linked to various neurological and vascular pathologies. Its immediate reaction with lung surfactant after inhalation results in complete reactivity of the gas, with no active ozone passing into circulation. This indicates the presence of secondary and tertiary mediators in ozone-related systemic pathologies after pulmonary insult. In vasculature, ozone exposure is associated with an acute hypertensive phenotype apparent at least 24 hours after dose, such as experienced on a hot summer afternoon in a large metropolitan area like Los Angeles or Mexico City. However, the effects …


Absence Of Endothelial Α5Β1 Integrin Triggers Early Onset Of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Due To Reduced Vascular Remodeling And Compromised Vascular Integrity, Ravi Kant, Sebok K. Halder, Gregory J. Bix, Richard Milner Jan 2019

Absence Of Endothelial Α5Β1 Integrin Triggers Early Onset Of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Due To Reduced Vascular Remodeling And Compromised Vascular Integrity, Ravi Kant, Sebok K. Halder, Gregory J. Bix, Richard Milner

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

Early in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS) and its mouse model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), vascular integrity is compromised. This is accompanied by a marked vascular remodeling response, though it is currently unclear whether this is an adaptive vascular repair mechanism or is part of the pathogenic process. In light of the well-described angiogenic role for the α5β1 integrin, the goal of this study was to evaluate how genetic deletion of endothelial α5 integrin (α5-EC-KO mice) impacts vascular remodeling and repair following vascular disruption during EAE pathogenesis, and how this subsequently influences clinical progression and inflammatory demyelination. Immunofluorescence staining …


Disruption Of The Hippocampal And Hypothalamic Blood-Brain Barrier In A Diet-Induced Obese Model Of Type Ii Diabetes: Prevention And Treatment By The Mitochondrial Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitor, Topiramate, Therese S. Salameh, William G. Mortell, Aric F. Logsdon, D. Allan Butterfield, William A. Banks Jan 2019

Disruption Of The Hippocampal And Hypothalamic Blood-Brain Barrier In A Diet-Induced Obese Model Of Type Ii Diabetes: Prevention And Treatment By The Mitochondrial Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitor, Topiramate, Therese S. Salameh, William G. Mortell, Aric F. Logsdon, D. Allan Butterfield, William A. Banks

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Background: Type II diabetes is a vascular risk factor for cognitive impairment and increased risk of dementia. Disruption of the blood–retinal barrier (BRB) and blood–brain barrier (BBB) are hallmarks of subsequent retinal edema and central nervous system dysfunction. However, the mechanisms by which diet or metabolic syndrome induces dysfunction are not understood. A proposed mechanism is an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress. Inhibition of mitochondrial carbonic anhydrase (mCA) decreases ROS and oxidative stress. In this study, topiramate, a mCA inhibitor, was examined for its ability to protect the BRB and BBB in diet-induced obese type II …


The Role Of Syndecan-1 And Extracellular Vesicles In Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis, Megan R. Sayyad Jan 2019

The Role Of Syndecan-1 And Extracellular Vesicles In Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis, Megan R. Sayyad

Theses and Dissertations

Breast cancer metastasizes to the brain in 15-30% of all breast cancer cases, and metastasis is the predominant cause of breast cancer-related deaths. Patients with HER2-enriched and triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are more likely to develop brain metastases. While targeted therapies exist for HER2-enriched breast cancers, there are no effective treatments for TNBCs. Thus, a greater understanding of how these cancers spread to the brain is critical. In order to spread to the brain, disseminated breast cancer cells must overcome 2 major steps—crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and survival and successful colonization of the distinctive and mostly cellular brain environment. …


Preventing P-Gp Ubiquitination Lowers Aβ Brain Levels In An Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model, Anika M. S. Hartz, Yu Zhong, Andrew N. Shen, Erin L. Abner, Björn Bauer Jun 2018

Preventing P-Gp Ubiquitination Lowers Aβ Brain Levels In An Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model, Anika M. S. Hartz, Yu Zhong, Andrew N. Shen, Erin L. Abner, Björn Bauer

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

One characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is excessive accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) in the brain. Aβ brain accumulation is, in part, due to a reduction in Aβ clearance from the brain across the blood-brain barrier. One key element that contributes to Ab brain clearance is P-glycoprotein (P-gp) that transports Aβ from brain to blood. In AD, P-gp protein expression and transport activity levels are significantly reduced, which impairs Aβ brain clearance. The mechanism responsible for reduced P-gp expression and activity levels is poorly understood. We recently demonstrated that Aβ40 triggers P-gp degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Consistent with these …


AΒ40 Reduces P-Glycoprotein At The Blood-Brain Barrier Through The Ubiquitin-Proteasome Pathway, Anika M. S. Hartz, Yu Zhong, Andrea Wolf, Harry Levine Iii, David S. Miller, Björn Bauer Feb 2016

AΒ40 Reduces P-Glycoprotein At The Blood-Brain Barrier Through The Ubiquitin-Proteasome Pathway, Anika M. S. Hartz, Yu Zhong, Andrea Wolf, Harry Levine Iii, David S. Miller, Björn Bauer

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

Failure to clear amyloid-β (Aβ) from the brain is in part responsible for Aβ brain accumulation in Alzheimer's disease (AD). A critical protein for clearing Aβ across the blood–brain barrier is the efflux transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in the luminal plasma membrane of the brain capillary endothelium. P-gp is reduced at the blood–brain barrier in AD, which has been shown to be associated with Aβ brain accumulation. However, the mechanism responsible for P-gp reduction in AD is not well understood. Here we focused on identifying critical mechanistic steps involved in reducing P-gp in AD. We …