Functional regulation of P-glycoprotein at the blood-brain barrier in proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT) mutant mice

FASEB J. 2013 Mar;27(3):1167-75. doi: 10.1096/fj.12-218495. Epub 2012 Dec 4.

Abstract

Folate deficiency has been associated with many adverse clinical manifestations. The blood-brain barrier (BBB), formed by brain capillary endothelial cells, protects the brain from exposure to neurotoxicants. The function of BBB is modulated by multiple ABC transporters, particularly P-glycoprotein. A proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT)-deficient mouse has been previously described as a model for systemic folate deficiency. Herein, we demonstrate that exposing mouse brain capillaries to the antiepileptic drug, valproic acid (VPA; 5 μM), significantly increased P-glycoprotein transport function in the wild-type animals. A ligand to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), produced a similar induction of P-glycoprotein, which tightened the BBB, thereby increasing the neuroprotection. However, VPA- or TCDD-induced P-glycoprotein transport was blocked in the PCFT-nullizygous mice, indicating that multiple neuroprotective mechanisms are compromised under folate-deficient conditions. Brain capillaries from S-folinic acid (SFA; 40 mg/kg)-treated PCFT-nullizygous mice exhibited increased P-glycoprotein transport following VPA exposure. This suggests that SFA supplementation restored the normal BBB function. In addition, we show that tight-junction proteins are disintegrated in the PCFT mutant mice. Taken together, these findings strongly suggest that folate deficiency disrupts the BBB function by targeting the transporter and tight junctions, which may contribute to the development of neurological disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / genetics
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Anticonvulsants / pharmacology
  • Biological Transport, Active / drug effects
  • Biological Transport, Active / genetics
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / metabolism*
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / pathology
  • Leucovorin / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Nervous System Diseases / genetics
  • Nervous System Diseases / metabolism
  • Nervous System Diseases / pathology
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / pharmacology
  • Proton-Coupled Folate Transporter / genetics
  • Proton-Coupled Folate Transporter / metabolism*
  • Teratogens / pharmacology
  • Tight Junctions / genetics
  • Tight Junctions / metabolism*
  • Tight Junctions / pathology
  • Valproic Acid / pharmacology
  • Vitamin B Complex / pharmacology

Substances

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins
  • Proton-Coupled Folate Transporter
  • Slc46a1 protein, mouse
  • Teratogens
  • Vitamin B Complex
  • Valproic Acid
  • Leucovorin