Abstract |
Evidence is accumulating that suggests that increased permeability of the BBB to blood-borne proteins is favorable for the development of neuropathologic changes such as amyloid angiopathy and formation of amyloid plaques in the AD brain. To study this problem, we applied a quantitative immunocytochemical procedure that enables evaluation of the barrier function of brain microvasculature to endogenous albumin. This procedure was successfully used on scrapie-infected mice, which represent a unique animal model enabling study of an interrelation between BBB function and deposition of amyloid within vascular wall and neuritic plaques. Biopsy specimens obtained during neurosurgical procedures ( tumors and dementia) were also examined. Our observations indicate that (1) the vast majority of brain microvessels in scrapie-infected mice and in demented individuals show normal features of the BBB; (2) only those microvascular segments directly surrounded by amyloid plaques or representing amyloid angiopathy show increased permeability to endogenous albumin; (3) numerous immunosignals over the amyloid deposits in plaques and in the wall of angiopathic vessels suggest the affinity of extravasated albumin to the amyloid material.
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Authors | H M Wisniewski, A W Vorbrodt, J Wegiel |
Journal | Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
(Ann N Y Acad Sci)
Vol. 826
Pg. 161-72
(Sep 26 1997)
ISSN: 0077-8923 [Print] United States |
PMID | 9329688
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Albumins
(metabolism)
- Alzheimer Disease
(metabolism, pathology)
- Amyloid
(metabolism)
- Animals
- Blood-Brain Barrier
- Brain
(blood supply, metabolism)
- Cerebrovascular Circulation
- Endothelium, Vascular
(pathology)
- Humans
- Mice
- Scrapie
(pathology)
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