Differential expression of selectins by mouse brain capillary endothelial cells in vitro in response to distinct inflammatory stimuli

Increased lymphocyte trafficking across blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a prominent and early event in inflammatory and immune-mediated CNS diseases. The adhesion molecules that control the entry of leukocytes into the brain have not been fully elucidated. Although the role of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 has been well documented, the expression and role of selectins is still a matter of controversy. In a mouse syngenic in vitro BBB model, highly relevant for examining immunological events, mouse brain capillary endothelial cells (MBCECs) do not express selectins. Treatment of MBCECs with LPS, induced E- and P-selectin expression, whereas TNF-alpha or IFN-gamma treatments did not. Finally, P-selectin but not E-selectin expression was induced in IL-1beta treated MBCECs. Thus, our study suggests that diverse inflammatory stimuli could differentially regulate selectin expression at the BBB.