Sortilin regulates blood-brain barrier integrity

Andrea E Toth, Hans C. Helms, Andras Harazin, Kasper B Johnsen, Charlotte Goldeman, Annette Burkhart, Maj S Thomsen, Paul J Kempen, Adrian Klepe, Dora V Lipka, Peter L. Møller, Thomas L. Andresen, Mette Nyegaard, Torben Moos, Birger Brodin, Morten S Nielsen*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Brain homeostasis depends on the existence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Despite decades of research, the factors and signalling pathways for modulating and maintaining BBB integrity are not fully elucidated. Here, we characterize the expression and function of the multifunctional receptor, sortilin, in the cells of the BBB, in vivo and in vitro. We show that sortilin acts as an important regulatory protein of the BBB's tightness. In rats lacking sortilin, the BBB was leaky, which correlated well with relocated distribution of the localisation of zonula occludens-1, VE-cadherin and β-catenin junctional proteins. Furthermore, the absence of sortilin in brain endothelial cells resulted in decreased phosphorylation of Akt signalling protein and increased the level of phospho-ERK1/2. As a putative result of MAPK/ERK pathways activity, the junctions between the brain endothelial cells were disintegrated and the integrity of the BBB became compromised. The identified barrier differences between wild type and Sort1-/- brain endothelial cells can pave the way for a better understanding of sortilin's role in the healthy and diseased BBB.

Original languageEnglish
JournalThe FEBS Journal
Volume289
Issue number4
Pages (from-to)1062-1079
ISSN1742-464X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

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