Skip to main content
Article
Age-dependent increase of chronic blood-brain barrier breach and neuron-binding autoantibodies in S100B knockout mice. itle
Brain Research (2016)
  • Hao Wu, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Eric V. Brown, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Nimish K. Acharya, PhD, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Denah M. Appelt, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Alexander Marks, University of Toronto
  • Robert G. Nagele, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Venkat Venkataraman, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Abstract
S100B is a calcium-sensor protein that impacts multiple signal transduction pathways. It is widely considered to be an important biomarker for several neuronal diseases as well as blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown. In this report, we demonstrate a BBB deficiency in mice that lack S100B through detection of leaked Immunoglobulin G (IgG) in the brain parenchyma. IgG leaks and IgG-binding to selected neurons were observed in S100B knockout (S100BKO) mice at 6 months of age but not at 3 months. By 9 months, IgG leaks persisted and the density of IgG-bound neurons increased significantly. These results reveal a chronic increase in BBB permeability upon aging in S100BKO mice for the first time. Moreover, coincident with the increase in IgG-bound neurons, autoantibodies targeting brain proteins were detected in the serum via western blots. These events were concurrent with compromise of neurons, increase of activated microglia and lack of astrocytic activation as evidenced by decreased expression of microtubule-associated protein type 2 (MAP2), elevated number of CD68 positive cells and unaltered expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) respectively. Results suggest a key role for S100B in maintaining BBB functional integrity and, further, propose the S100BKO mouse as a valuable model system to explore the link between chronic functional compromise of the BBB, generation of brain-reactive autoantibodies and neuronal dysfunctions.
Keywords
  • Aging,
  • Autoantibodies,
  • Blood–brain barrier,
  • Neurodegenerative disease,
  • S100B
Publication Date
April 15, 2016
DOI
10.1016/j.brainres.2016.02.026
Citation Information
Hao Wu, Eric V. Brown, Nimish K. Acharya, Denah M. Appelt, et al.. "Age-dependent increase of chronic blood-brain barrier breach and neuron-binding autoantibodies in S100B knockout mice. itle" Brain Research Vol. 1637 (2016) p. 154 - 167
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/nimish-acharya/15/