Blood-brain barrier junctional proteins as potential biomarkers of cerebral ischaemia and reperfusion injury

Background

Cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion (CI/R) damage involves obstructing the blood supply to the brain, followed by restoring cerebral circulation through thrombolytic treatment. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a specialised structure separating the brain from peripheral blood circulation and plays an important role in brain function. However, little is known about CI/R-induced BBB damage and changes in circulatory biomarkers. Methods and results: This novel study aims to examine the changes in BBB tight-junctional (TJ) proteins (Zonula occludens-1, Occludin and Claudin-5) in the hippocampus of the brain and determine the levels of these proteins in a mouse model of CI/R induced by bilateral common carotid occlusion. Expressions of BBB TJ proteins in the hippocampus were examined by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. The levels of these proteins in blood serum were measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay.