Journal:
Article Title: Differential effects of hydrocortisone and TNF? on tight junction proteins in an in vitro model of the human blood-brain barrier
doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2007.146852
Figure Lengend Snippet: A, after reaching confluence, hCMEC/D3 cells were treated with 50 nm and 100 nm hydrocortisone (HC) for 48 h and GR mRNA expression was assessed. Treatment was repeated every 24 h. A down-regulation of GR transcript to 0.81 ± 0.06-fold after 48 h of treatment with 50 nm HC, and to 0.63 ± 0.1-fold after 48 h of treatment with 100 nm HC was observed in hCMEC/D3 cells. B, confluent monolayers of hCMEC/D3 cells were grown in collagen-IV coated cell culture flasks in the presence of 100 nm HC as indicated. Cell lysates were analysed by Western blot for GR protein contents. After 48 h of HC treatment of hCMEC/D3, a down-regulation of GR protein to an estimated protein content of 83 ± 0.6% of that in untreated cells occurred (n = 3). C, immunocytochemistry visualizing the cellular localization of GR protein in hCMEC/D3 endothelial cells maintained in serum-reduced medium (0.25% FCS) ‘control’ as compared to cells maintained in differentiation medium (0.25% FCS, 110 nm HC) ‘HC’. GR stain (FITC = green), propidium iodide nuclear counterstain (red), and merged images (GR/PI) of GR immunofluorescence (green) and nuclei counterstained by propium iodide (red). After 48 h of HC treatment a nuclear concentration of GR (green) in hCMEC/D3 cells was observed, visualized by propidium iodide nuclear counterstaining (red). The nuclear concentration of GR could be confirmed for HC treated hCMEC/D3 cells by the use of computer imaging software to merge the individual images for FITC-GR and propidium iodide counterstain to assess similarityof staining pattern. The slides were analysed using a Zeiss Axioscop2 microscope. All pictures within each experiment were captured and manipulated identically with SpotAdvanced software and Adobe Photoshop. Bar in the lower panels indicates 20 μm for all panels.
Article Snippet: Isolation and culture of cerebral endothelial cells The immortalized human brain micro-vascular endothelial cell line hCMEC was generated as described previously ( Weksler et al. 2005 ).
Techniques: Expressing, Cell Culture, Western Blot, Immunocytochemistry, Control, Staining, Immunofluorescence, Concentration Assay, Imaging, Software, Microscopy