ATP Induces Disruption of Tight Junction Proteins via IL-1 Beta-Dependent MMP-9 Activation of Human Blood-Brain Barrier In Vitro

Figure 5

IL-1β-induced tight junction disruption and endothelial coculture system hyperpermeability were attenuated by MMP-9 inhibition. (a) The levels of MMP-9 were significantly higher in IL-1β groups than in control groups (). Batimastat treatment significantly reduced the level of MMP-9 versus vehicle group (). (b) Exposure to IL-1β significantly increased the permeability to FITC-dextran compared with the control groups (), which was decreased by batimastat in coculture system (). (c) Confocal microscopy images of immunofluorescence staining of ZO-1 and occludin demonstrating the protective effect of batimastat against IL-1β-induced tight junction disruption.