Lipopolysaccharide-induced blood brain barrier permeability is enhanced by alpha-synuclein expression

Because α-synuclein (Snca) is involved in neuroinflammatory response, we determined if its expression altered blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. To induce increased BBB permeability, Snca gene-ablated (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice were injected (i.p.) with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). To assess changes in BBB permeability, Evans blue was injected (i.p.) and extravasation into the brain assessed using fluorescence spectroscopy. WT mice had a significant increase in BBB permeability at 1, 3, and 6 h post-injection of LPS relative to untreated mice. Contrary to WT mice, LPS did not induce a time-dependent change in BBB permeability in KO mice. Although brain edema is associated with increased BBB permeability, no significant difference in edema was found between groups. These results show that Snca expression is associated with increased reactive opening of the BBB in response to LPS.