Pericytes of the brain microvasculature express γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase
Citations Over TimeTop 10% of 1991 papers
Abstract
The expression of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) is a specific property of the brain capillary endothelium that constitutes the blood-brain barrier. We report here the detection of GGT, not only in endothelial cells, but also in pericytes, demonstrating that a brain capillary-specific pericyte population exists. We raised antibodies to GGT using a porcine brain microvessel GGT-protein-A (staphylococcal protein A) fusion protein as antigen which was expressed in Escherichia coli. The immunohistochemical analysis of the subcapillary distribution of GGT in porcine brain cortex and cerebellum sections by both light and electron microscopy revealed the expression of GGT in the capillary-adjacent pericytes in addition to the GGT-positive endothelial layer. We confirmed these data for cultured porcine brain microvascular endothelial cells and pericytes. GGT immunofluorescence could be detected in both cell types in culture. Endothelial cells exhibited a weak staining, whereas pericytes were strongly positive for GGT. Due to the high phagocytotic activity of pericytes and their location on the abluminal surface of the microvessels, we propose a possible protective or detoxifying function of GGT in cerebrovascular pericytes.
Related Papers
- → Copper transport to the brain by the blood-brain barrier and blood-CSF barrier(2008)248 cited
- → Role of iPSC-derived pericytes on barrier function of iPSC-derived brain microvascular endothelial cells in 2D and 3D(2019)114 cited
- → Pericytes of the brain microvasculature express γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase(1991)78 cited
- → Differential activation of CD4+ T cell subsets by brain microvessel endothelial vs. muscle/pericyte cells(1993)2 cited
- → Pericyte loss leads to microvessel remodeling and nasal polyp formation(2023)