SELECTIVE EXPRESSION OF ADHESION MOLECULES ON HUMAN BRAIN MICROVASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS

Human microvascular endothelial cells were isolated from children's br ain and examined for their morphological characteristics and upregulat ion of cell adhesion molecules in response to TNF alpha. Our human bra in microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) were positive for factor VI II-Rag, carbonic anhydrase IV, Ulex Europeus Agglutinin I, took up flu orescently labeled acetylated low density lipoprotein and expressed ga mma glutamyl transpeptidase, demonstrating their brain endothelial cel l characteristics. Upon treatment with TNF alpha, VCAM and ICAM but li ttle ELAM was expressed on HBMEC, while VCAM, ICAM and ELAM were clear ly evident on HUVEC. This selective expression of cell adhesion molecu les was also demonstrated by in situ stimulation of brain tissues. In conclusion, microvascular endothelial cells from childrens brains disp lay selective expression of cell adhesion molecules, which differ from macrovascular endothelial cells. This may have consequences for leuko cyte trafficking into the central nervous system.