Brain microvascular endothelial cells mediate neuroprotective effects on ischemia/reperfusion neurons

Aim of the studyThe permeability of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a bottleneck for the development of new cerebropathy medications because the medication must be transmitted across the BBB to achieve its curative function. To explore a new approach to the treatment of brain disease, this study investigated the mediating effects of brain microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs) on injured neurons.Materials and methodsMVECs and cortical neurons were cultured and damage by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) was simulated. The conditioned media from four groups of MVECs – normal cells (N-CM), normal cells treated with Tong Luo Jiu Nao (TLJN) (NT-CM), simulated cerebral I/R cells (I/R-CM), and simulated cells treated with TLJN (I/RTCM) – were then collected. These conditioned media were added to neuronal cultures and the viability of the neurons was examined.ResultsThe results demonstrated that N-CM could alleviate I/R damage to neurons, and this capacity could be improved by TLJN treatment. However, I/R-CM could cause damage to normal and I/R neurons, while I/RT-CM could significantly alleviate the damage to I/R neurons.ConclusionsWe propose that MVECs secrete active substances that influence the survival of neurons, and so MVECs may mediate a neuroprotective effect on ischemia/reperfusion neurons.

Graphical abstractBrain microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs) could mediate a neuroprotective effect on ischemia/reperfusion neurons. MVECs may be suitable drug targets for the treatment of brain disease.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide