Initial contact of glioblastoma cells with existing normal brain endothelial cells strengthen the barrier function via fibroblast growth factor 2 secretion: a new in vitro blood-brain barrier model

Cell Mol Neurobiol. 2013 May;33(4):489-501. doi: 10.1007/s10571-013-9913-z. Epub 2013 Feb 6.

Abstract

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells invade along the existing normal capillaries in brain. Normal capillary endothelial cells function as the blood-brain barrier (BBB) that limits permeability of chemicals into the brain. To investigate whether GBM cells modulate the BBB function of normal endothelial cells, we developed a new in vitro BBB model with primary cultures of rat brain endothelial cells (RBECs), pericytes, and astrocytes. Cells were plated on a membrane with 8 μm pores, either as a monolayer or as a BBB model with triple layer culture. The BBB model consisted of RBEC on the luminal side as a bottom, and pericytes and astrocytes on the abluminal side as a top of the chamber. Human GBM cell line, LN-18 cells, or lung cancer cell line, NCI-H1299 cells, placed on either the RBEC monolayer or the BBB model increased the transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) values against the model, which peaked within 72 h after the tumor cell application. The TEER value gradually returned to baseline with LN-18 cells, whereas the value quickly dropped to the baseline in 24 h with NCI-H1299 cells. NCI-H1299 cells invaded into the RBEC layer through the membrane, but LN-18 cells did not. Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) strengthens the endothelial cell BBB function by increased occludin and ZO-1 expression. In our model, LN-18 and NCI-H1299 cells secreted FGF-2, and a neutralization antibody to FGF-2 inhibited LN-18 cells enhanced BBB function. These results suggest that FGF-2 would be a novel therapeutic target for GBM in the perivascular invasive front.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / drug effects
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / metabolism
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / pathology*
  • Brain Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cell Communication* / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Membrane / drug effects
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Culture Media, Conditioned / pharmacology
  • Electric Impedance
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Endothelial Cells / pathology*
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / metabolism*
  • Glioblastoma / metabolism
  • Glioblastoma / pathology*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Models, Biological*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Tight Junctions / drug effects
  • Tight Junctions / metabolism
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism

Substances

  • Culture Media, Conditioned
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins