Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor Modulates Density of Blood Vessels and Preserves Tight Junctions in Organotypic Cortical Cultures of Mice: A NewIn VitroModel of the Blood–Brain Barrier

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.4033-06.2007
• Publication Date: 2007-03-21T18:24:47Z
• Authors: Kerstin Bendfeldt; Vesna Radojevic; Josef Kapfhammer; Cordula Nitsch
• Keywords: Occludin; Immunolabeling

This study was performed to examine the maintenance of blood vessels in vitro cortical organotypic slice cultures mice with special emphasis on basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2), which is known promote angiogenesis and preserve integrity blood–brain barrier. Slices neonatal day 3 or 4 mouse brain were maintained for 3, 7, 10 d (DIV) under standard culture conditions presence FGF-2. Immunohistochemistry VIII-related antigen laminin revealed a relative low number conditions. In contrast, moderate FGF-2 concentrations increased vessels: 0.5 ng/ml it 1.4-fold higher after DIV 1.5-fold 7 compared controls; 5 almost doubled both cases. With an excess 50 ng/ml, reduced similar controls 7. FGF receptor 1 preferentially found endothelial cells; its immunolabeling ligand. Cell death detected by ethidium bromide analog apoptosis marker caspase-3 barely detectable during period. Immunolabeling tight junction proteins ZO-1 (zonula occludens protein 1), occludin, claudin-5, claudin-3 evidence structural barrier concentrations. conclusion, maintains preserves composition junction. Hence, we propose FGF-2-treated slices as new tool mechanistic studies