Atis, Muge, Akcan, Ugur, Altunsu, Deniz, Ayvaz, Ecem, Yilmaz, Canan Ugur, Sarikaya, Deniz, Temizyurek, Arzu, Ahishali, Bulent, Girouard, Helene, Kaya, Mehmet, Atis, Muge, Akcan, Ugur, Altunsu, Deniz, Ayvaz, Ecem, Yilmaz, Canan Ugur, Sarikaya, Deniz, Temizyurek, Arzu, Ahishali, Bulent, Girouard, Helene, and Kaya, Mehmet
Introduction: In this study, we aimed to target two molecules, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and dynamin to explore their roles in blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption in hypertension. Methods: For this purpose, angiotensin (ANG) II-induced hypertensive mice were treated with SB-431542, an inhibitor of the ALK5/TGF-beta type I receptor, and dynasore, an inhibitor of dynamin. Albumin-Alexa fluor 594 was used to assess BBB permeability. The alterations in the expression of claudin-5, caveolin (Cav)-1, glucose transporter (Glut)-1, and SMAD4 in the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus were evaluated by quantification of immunofluorescence staining intensity.Results: ANG II infusion increased BBB permeability to albumin-Alexa fluor 594 which was reduced by SB431542 (P < 0.01), but not by dynasore. In hypertensive animals treated with dynasore, claudin-5 immunofluorescence intensity increased in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus while it decreased in the cerebral cortex of SB-431542 treated hypertensive mice (P < 0.01). Both dynasore and SB-431542 prevented the increased Cav-1 immunofluorescence intensity in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of hypertensive animals (P < 0.01). SB431542 and dynasore decreased Glut-1 immunofluorescence intensity in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of mice receiving ANG II (P < 0.01). SB-431542 increased SMAD4 immunofluorescence intensity in the cerebral cortex of hypertensive animals, while in the hippocampus a significant decrease was noted by both SB-431542 and dynasore (P < 0.01).Conclusion: Our data suggest that inhibition of the TGF beta type I receptor prevents BBB disruption under hypertensive conditions. These results emphasize the therapeutic potential of targeting TGF beta signaling as a novel treatment modality to protect the brain of hypertensive patients.