Loss of flow induces leukocyte-mediated MMP/TIMP imbalance in dynamic in vitro blood-brain barrier model: role of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

摘要

There is substantial evidence linking blood-brain barrier (BBB) failure during cerebral ischemia to matrix metalloproteinases (MMP). BBB function may be affected by loss of shear stress under normoxiaormoglycemia, as during cardiopulmonary bypass procedures. The present study used an in vitro flow-perfused BBB model to analyze the individual contributions of flow, cytokine levels, and circulating blood leukocytes on the release/activity of MMP-9, MMP-2, and their endogenous inhibitors, the tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs), TIMP-1, and TIMP-2. The presence of circulating blood leukocytes under normoxicormoglycemic flow cessation/reperfusion significantly increased the luminal levels of MMP-9 and activity of MMP-2, accompanied by partial reduction of TIMP-1, complete reduction of TIMP-2 and increased BBB permeability. These changes were not observed during constant flow with circulating blood leukocytes, or after normoxicormoglycemic or hypoxic/hypoglycemic flow cessation/reperfusion without circulating blood leukocytes. The addition of anti-IL-6 or anti-TNF-alpha antibody in the lumen before reperfusion suppressed the levels of MMP-9 and activity of MMP-2, had no effect on TIMP-1, and completely restored TIMP-2 and BBB integrity. Injection of TIMP-2 in the lumen before reperfusion prevented the activation of MMP-2 and BBB permeability. These data indicate that blood leukocytes and loss of flow are major factors in the activation of MMP-2, and that cytokine-mediated differential regulation of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 may contribute significantly to BBB failure.