Long-term exposure to ethanol downregulates tight junction proteins through the protein kinase Cα signaling pathway in human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells.

ABSTRACT: Brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) are the primary component of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Tight junction (TJ) proteins, including claudin, occludin and zonula occludens (ZO)-1, ZO-2 and ZO-3, maintain the structural integrity of BMECs. Ethanol activates the assembly and disassembly of TJs, which is a process that is regulated by protein kinase C (PKC). In addition, ethanol treatment leads to the loss of structural integrity, which damages the permeability of the BBB and subsequently affects central nervous system homeostasis, thus allowing additional substances to enter the brain. However, the mechanisms underlying ethanol-induced loss of BBB structure remain unknown. It has been hypothesized that long-term exposure to ethanol reduces the expression of claudin-5, occludin a

SUBMITTER: Yu H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5704308 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature