Blood–brain barrier dysfunction developed during normal aging is associated with inflammation and loss of tight junctions but not with leukocyte recruitment

Background

Functional loss of blood–brain barrier (BBB) is suggested to be pivotal to pathogenesis
and pathology of vascular-based neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.
We recently reported in wild-type mice maintained on standard diets, progressive deterioration
of capillary function with aging concomitant with heightened neuroinflammation. However,
the mice used in this study were relatively young (12 months of age) and potential
mechanisms for loss of capillary integrity were not investigated per se. The current study therefore extended the previous finding to investigate the effect
of aging on BBB integrity in aged mice at 24 months and its potential underlying molecular
mechanisms.

Results

Immunomicroscopy analyses confirmed significantly increased capillary permeability
with heightened neuroinflammation in naturally aged 24-month old mice compared to
young control at 3 months of age. Aged mice showed significant attenuation in the
expression of BBB tight junction proteins, occludin-1 and to lesser extent ZO-1 compared
to young mice. In addition, TNF-α in cerebral endothelial cells of aged mice was significantly
elevated compared to controls and this was associated with heightened peripheral inflammation.
The expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 remained unelevated, and no sign of leukocyte
recruitment was observed in aged mice.

Conclusion

The BBB breakdown that occurs during ordinary aging is associated with inflammation
and disruption of tight junction complex assembly but not through leukocyte trafficking.

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