Blood-brain barrier breakdown involves four distinct stages of vascular damage in various models of experimental focal cerebral ischemia.

ABSTRACT: Ischemic stroke not only impairs neuronal function but also affects the cerebral vasculature as indicated by loss of blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity. Therefore, therapeutical recanalization includes an enhanced risk for hemorrhagic transformation and bleeding, traditionally attributed to a 'reperfusion injury'. To investigate the mechanisms underlying ischemia-/reperfusion-related BBB opening, we applied multiple immunofluorescence labeling and electron microscopy in a rat model of thromboembolic stroke as well as mouse models of permanent and transient focal cerebral ischemia. In these models, areas exhibiting BBB breakdown were identified by extravasation of intravenously administered fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-albumin. After 24 hours, expression of markers for tight and adher

SUBMITTER: Krueger M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4426746 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature