Effect of endotoxin on expression of TNF receptors and transport of TNF-alpha at the blood-brain barrier of the rat

1 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas 79106; 2 Institute of Physiology, Philipps University, 35033 Marburg; and 3 Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Immunology and 4 Neuroscience Research Center, Charité, Humboldt University, 10117 Berlin, Germany The transport mechanism mediating brain uptake of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- has been studied. When 125 I-labeled rat TNF- was used in internal carotid artery perfusions in rats, the cytokine showed transcytosis through the blood-brain barrier in intact form (permeability-surface area product 0.34 ± 0.13 µl · min 1 · g 1 ). Uptake was inhibited by low nanomolar concentrations of unlabeled rat TNF- . Human TNF- , which does not interact with the p80 TNF receptor in rodents, showed no brain uptake. mRNA expression of both p60 and p80 receptors could be demonstrated in native brain microvessel preparations. These transcripts increased to 149% (p60) and 127% (p80) of control 4 h after a systemic immune stimulation (2 mg/kg bacterial endotoxin ip). Lipopolysaccharide treatment did not alter the rate of brain uptake of TNF- measured between 4 and 24 h later. In conclusion, a receptor-mediated mechanism is responsible for the transcytosis of TNF- . Saturable transport, requiring the p80 receptor, occurs at concentrations encountered under pathophysiological conditions and therefore constitutes a relevant mechanism of communication between the immune system and the brain. brain perfusion; Northern blot; lipopolysaccharide