Involvement of oxidative stress in hypoxia-induced blood-brain barrier breakdown

► We investigated the relevance of oxidative stress in hypoxia-induced barrier disruption using an in vitro model. ► Prolonged hypoxic exposure induced reactive oxygen species formation and induced glutathione oxidation. ► Pro-oxidant treatment significantly disrupted barrier function under normal conditions whereas anti-oxidant treatment maintained better barrier function and cell survival in an O2-reduced environment. ► The endothelial response to oxidative stress was modulated by the presence of astrocytes and pericytes.