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Disruption of neurovascular unit prior to motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Author(s) -
Miyazaki Kazunori,
Ohta Yasuyuki,
Nagai Makiko,
Morimoto Nobutoshi,
Kurata Tomoko,
Takehisa Yasushi,
Ikeda Yoshio,
Matsuura Tohru,
Abe Koji
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/jnr.22594
Subject(s) - amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , neurovascular bundle , neuroscience , trpv4 , pathology , anatomy , biology , medicine , disease , receptor , ion channel
Recent reports suggest that functional or structural defect of vascular components are implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) pathology. In the present study, we examined a possible change of the neurovascular unit consisting of endothelium (PCAM‐1), tight junction (occludin), and basement membrane (collagen IV) in relation to a possible activation of MMP‐9 in ALS patients and ALS model mice. We found that the damage in the neurovascular unit was more prominent in the outer side and preferentially in the anterior horn of ALS model mice. This damage occurred prior to motor neuron degeneration and was accompanied by MMP‐9 up‐regulation. We also found the dissociation between the PCAM‐1‐positive endothelium and GFAP‐positive astrocyte foot processes in both humans and the animal model of ALS. The present results indicate that perivascular damage precedes the sequential changes of the disease, which are held in common between humans and the animal model of ALS, suggesting that the neurovascular unit is a potential target for therapeutic intervention in ALS. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.