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Abstract
Human microvascular endothelial cells were isolated from children's brain and examined
for their morphological characteristics and upregulation of cell adhesion molecules
in response to TNF alpha. Our human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC)
were positive for factor VIII-Rag, carbonic anhydrase IV, Ulex Europeus Agglutinin
I, took up fluorescently labeled acetylated low density lipoprotein and expressed
gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, demonstrating their brain endothelial cell characteristics.
Upon treatment with TNF alpha. VCAM and ICAM but little ELAM was expressed on HBMEC,
while VCAM, ICAM and ELAM were clearly evident on HUVEC. This selective expression
of cell adhesion molecules was also demonstrated by in situ stimulation of brain tissues.
In conclusion, microvascular endothelial cells from childrens brains display selective
expression of cell adhesion molecules, which differ from macrovascular endothelial
cells. This may have consequences for leukocyte trafficking into the central nervous
system.