Barriers of the peripheral nerve

Abstract

This review introduces the traditionally defined anatomic compartments of the peripheral nerves based on light and electron microscopic topography and then explores the cellular and the most recent molecular basis of the different barrier functions operative in peripheral nerves. We also elucidate where, and how, the homeostasis of the normal human peripheral nerve is controlled in situ and how claudin-containing tight junctions contribute to the barriers of peripheral nerve. Also, the human timeline of the development of the barriers of the peripheral nerve is depicted. Finally, potential future therapeutic modalities interfering with the barriers of the peripheral nerve are discussed.

Introduction

Epineurium, perineurium and endoneurium are the three connective tissue compartments of the peripheral nerve (Fig. 1). The structure of these compartments is intimately associated with their function as shielding barriers for the impulse-conducting elements. The perineurium and its projections into the endoneurium are instrumental in forming the nerve-tissue barrier and the blood-nerve barrier.^1-3 The autotypic junctions of Schwann cells divide the myelinating Schwann cell into compartments of compact and non-compact myelin (Fig. 2). The existence of the tight junction strands between perineurial cells has been demonstrated in electron microscopic studies already for four decades ago.⁴ Characterization of the tight junction proteins in 1990s provided tools to analyze the molecular composition of perineurial tight junctions in the early years of this century.^22,44 These studies have addressed the permeability barrier to claudin-containing junction structures in perineurium, endoneurial vasculature as well as Schwann cell autotypic junctions.

Figure 1. The three anatomical compartments of the peripheral nerve are the epineurium, the perineurium and the endoneurium. The figure demonstrates the localization and components of perineurial, endothelial and Schwann cell barriers. Cl, claudin; Occl, occluding.

Figure 2. Composition of Schwann cell autotypic junctions. Their localization in Schwann cells is shown as red dots. *Rodents.

Sheets of cells and their tight junctions contribute to diffusion barriers in various tissues. Tight junction components include claudins, occludin, junctional adhesion protein (JAM), tricellulin and other membrane associated or scaffolding proteins such as zonula occludens (ZO)-1, -2, -3, Discs Lost-multi PDZ domain protein 1 (MUPP1) and Pals-associated tight junction protein (PATJ).⁵ Claudin family consists of 27 members, of which four are expressed in the peripheral nerve in man and in mouse.^6,7 In peripheral nerve, basement membrane covers perineurial cells and Schwann cells while endothelial cells are attached to basement membrane. Basement membranes limit the movement of molecules according to their size and electrical charge.

Anatomical Compartments of Peripheral Nerve

Epineurium is composed mostly of collagenous extracellular matrix which surrounds the entire nerve and its individual fascicles. It thus contributes to the tensile strength of the nerve, but does not form barriers.

Perineurium isolates groups of axon-Schwann cell units to form nerve fascicles and constitutes the main diffusion barrier between the endoneurium and the extrafascicular tissues.^8-10 Perineurium is composed of concentric layers of large, flat perineurial cells. The number of perineurial cell layers varies according to the number and size of the fascicles in the nerve; the largest fascicles in, e.g., sciatic nerve may have 15 layers. The thickness of the perineurium also decreases toward the nerve periphery where smallest fascicles may only have one or two perineurial layers.¹ Pockets containing extracellular matrix are present between the neighboring perineurial cell layers. The extracellular matrix is composed of fibrillar and microfibrillar collagens and fibronectin which provide the perineurium with the ability to modulate external stretching forces thus regulating the endoneurial pressure.^11,12 Perineurial cells are able to produce a number of extracellular matrix molecules.¹³ Each perineurial cell layer is surrounded by prominent basement membrane which can in larger nerves be up to 500 nm thick and provide additional molecular barrier.^3,14 All basement membranes contain type IV collagen and laminin. However, the human perineurial and Schwann cell basement membranes contain rare laminin chains: Schwann cells express laminin heavy chain α2 which was originally called merosin and in the present nomenclature is called laminin 211. Perineurial cell basement membrane contains laminin β2 chain, originally named s-laminin, which is also present in Schwann cell basement membrane but probably as a minor component. Thus, Schwann cell and perineurial basement membranes are somewhat distinct with respect to their laminin isoforms but the significance of this difference is not known.¹⁵ In addition to structural proteins, basement membranes contain heparin sulfate proteoglycans which have a negative charge and thus function as extracellular molecular filters preventing diffusion of molecules larger than 12 nm in diameter.^16,17 Perineurial cells are connected to each other by tight junction strands which are formed between the partly overlapping processes of the adjacent cells (see below).

Endoneurium contains groups of axon-Schwann cell units embedded in extracellular matrix which has thin collagen fibrils and gel-like consistency, as evaluated under preparation microscope. Axons are covered by Schwann cells which form either myelin or amyelin sheath. Myelinating Schwann cell membranes wrap around the axon resulting in multilamellar membrane structures. The myelin sheath is divided into compacted and non-compacted myelin compartments. Non-compact myelin is present in three locations: (1) immediately next to the nodes of Ranvier (paranodal region) which allow the electrical impulse to conduct quickly, (2) in Schmidt-Lanterman incisures located inside of compacted myelin sheath and (3) the inner and outer mesaxons where the volume of Schwann cell cytoplasm is increased compared with the areas of compacted myelin. Several types of autotypic junctions, including tight junctions, participate in the adhesion of apposed membrane lamellae in the sites of non-compacted myelin (Fig. 2).¹

The Functional Barriers of Peripheral Nerve

Perineurial barrier

Perineurium forms a metabolically active diffusion barrier in the peripheral nerve.^8-10 Perineurium functions to maintain the homeostasis of the endoneurium, including the constant intrafascicular pressure. Perineurial barrier has three structural and functional components: (1) Basement membranes surrounding each perineurial cell layer (see above), (2) tight junctions between the neighboring perineurial cells and (3) active transcytotic transport through the perineurial cells.

Strands of tight junctions have been visualized in ultrastructural studies at the interdigitating perineurial cell borders. Tracer and electrophysiological studies have shown that perineurium constitutes a tight but selective barrier.^2,4,18-21 The molecular composition of human perineurial tight junctions has been studied by Pummi and coworkers who detected occludin, ZO-1 and claudin-1 and -3 adult human perineurium.²² Thus, the perineurial tight junctions can contain at least three different claudin dimers: claudin-1/-1, claudin-1/-3 and claudin-3/-3. Since this report, several new members of the claudin family and other tight junction proteins have been characterized but they have not been mapped to human perineurium so far.

Transcytosis, as evidenced by the presence of numerous pinocytotic vesicles, provides an alternative route through perineurium. Ultrastructural studies have shown numerous pinocytotic vesicles in perineurial cells, but this phenomenon has not been studied at the molecular level.^14,23 Thus, it is not known whether the traffic is directed into or out of the nerve or which receptors or caveolins are involved. Molecules can also be actively transported across the perineurium via specific membrane receptors. Of various receptors studied only Glucose transporter 1 (GLUT -1) has been localized to human and rat perineurium.⁹

Developmental aspects of perineurium

During the fetal life the diameter of peripheral nerves increases due to the growth of fascicles in size and in number, as well as due to the synthesis of extracellular matrix. The number and the thickness of perineurial cell layers increase and intrafascicular septae become more visible.

In human, development of the perineurial diffusion barrier takes place relatively late. During the first trimester, perineurium is composed of one or two layers of perineurial cells and thin intrafascicular septae can be distinguished. Morphological studies have shown the first evidence of perineurial tight junctions at fetal weeks 12−14.^15,24,25 Claudin-1 is the first tight junction protein which has been detected in perineurium around 11 weeks as punctate labeling.²² Claudin-3, ZO-1 and occludin are present at the fetal week 22, although the labeling pattern for ZO-1 and occludin is still punctate. The tight junction strands with linear distribution of occludin, ZO-1 and claudin-1 and -3 are detectable at 35 fetal weeks, but the labeling of tight junctions is still not as continuous as in adults.²² The maturation of the perineurial tight junctions takes place along with the maturation of the extracellular diffusion barrier. The basement membrane components type IV collagen and laminins appear concomitantly with the expression of tight junction proteins and basement membranes become continuous at the end of the third trimester.¹⁵ The maturation of the perineurial diffusion barrier also takes place along with the metabolical activity of the perineurial cells since the expression of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT-1) can be first detected in the perineurium between fetal weeks 15 and 17.¹⁰

Blood-nerve barrier

Blood-nerve barrier is located in the blood vessel walls of the endoneurial vasculature. Here tight junctions are found between endothelial cells and between pericytes. Endoneurial blood vessels isolate the endoneurim from the circulating blood thus preventing uncontrollable molecule and ion leak from circulatory system to peripheral nerve. Blood-nerve barrier is thus analogous to the blood-brain barrier. The blood vessels entering the endoneurium through perineurium are first covered by a sleeve of perineurial cells.¹⁰ The endothelium of endoneurial blood vessels is attached to the continuous basement membrane. The pericytes are also covered by continuous basement membrane. Endoneurial capillaries differ ultrastructurally from epi- and perineurial vessels since the endoneurial capillaries are lined by non-fenestrated endothelial cells containing few plasmalemmal vesicles. Also this fact suggests that endoneurial vessels have tighter permeability characteristics than epineurial vessels.¹⁷

The barrier properties of the endoneurial blood vessels have been studied mainly in animal models. The endothelial cell cultures from rat sciatic nerves have been shown to develop higher transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) than HUVEC cultures, which is an indication of well-developed tight junctions.²⁶ The endothelial cells express occludin, ZO-1, ZO-2, claudin-5, claudin-12 and JAM in culture, and the same claudins and occludin have been shown in rat sciatic nerve vivo.²⁶ Claudin-5 can be considered as a sign of a tight permeability barrier. Downregulation of claudin-5 and ZO-1 in endothelium has been shown in chronic inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy.²⁷

The endoneurial pericytes have been shown to be essential for the function of the blood-nerve-barrier.²⁸ In vitro, cultured pericytes are able to express mRNA for occludin, ZO-1, ZO-2, JAM and claudin-12 but not claudin-5.²⁹ It has also been proposed that occludin localized at the pericyte–pericyte boundaries might be the key molecule for the mechanical stability of microvessels and the low paracellular permeability.²⁹ The growth factors secreted by pericytes regulate the claudin-5 expression in endothelial cells resulting stronger or weaker barrier.^30,31

In analogy to perineurial cells, pericytes actively transfer molecules through cells. Pericytes express several barrier-associated transport molecules, such as glucose transporter GLUT-1, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters ABCG2 and MRP1 and phosphoglycolate phosphatase p-gp.²⁹ It is of interest to note that epineurial blood vessels which do not contribute to the blood-nerve barrier do not express GLUT-1. ⁹Pericytes have been attributed to stem cell characteristics, and vascular wall stem cells have even been suggested to be the origin of tumor Schwann cells in cutaneous neurofibromas.³² Cutaneous neurofibromas are benign tumors containing all cell types and elements of peripheral nerves.³³ Neurofibromas have been widely studied also for understanding the biology of peripheral nerve connective tissue cells.^34-36

Schwann cell autotypic junctions

In analogy to cells of simple epithelia whose polarity is defined by localization of junctional proteins, a myelinating cell is divided to compacted and non-compacted areas by autotypic junctions between the membranes of the same Schwann cell (Fig. 2). The exact function of Schwann cell autotypic junctions is not known but it has been suggested that they separate the outer membrane and the extracellular space from the compact myelin and also provide the membrane associations for mechanical strength.³⁷ Claudin-containing junctions may also have an effect on nerve conduction, as suggested by the results from claudin-19 knockout mouse.³⁸ These autotypic junctions include adherens, tight and gap junctions but there is evidence that the structure and molecular composition of these junctions differs from those of epithelial cell junctions.^37,39-41 Cytoplasm-rich areas of non-compact myelin, mainly Schmidt-Lanterman incisures, form helical channel during myelination and provide diffusion pathway bringing outer membrane lamellae closer to each other despite barrier function.⁴² Gap junctions in Schmidt-Lanterman incisures and paranodal regions provide quick radial pathway for small molecules and ions through membrane lamellae.⁴² Other areas of tight junctions both in myelinated and non-myelinated Schwann cells have been mapped to node of Ranvier and inner and outer mesaxons.

The composition of the Schwann cell autotypic junctions has mainly been studied in rodents which express claudin-1,-2,-5,-19, ZO-1 and ZO-2 in Schwann cells (Table 1).^37,38,41-43 Different claudins were associated with MUPP1 and PATJ. Claudin-19 is highly expressed in mouse peripheral nerve and localized to Schmidt-Lanterman incisures, paranodal region and inner and outer mesaxons.³⁸ Tricellulin has recently been shown in paranodal region, Schmidt-Lanterman incisures and mesaxons, but the expression of tricellulin or claudin-19 have not been studied in human peripheral nerve.⁴³

Table1. Tight junction proteins in peripheral nerve.

	First trimester	Second trimester	Third trimester	Adult human	Adult rodent
Blood vessels: pericytes and endothelial cells	Cl−5.22	Cl−5.22	Cl−5.22	Cl−522	CL-562
Perineurium: perineurial cells	Cl−1*, Cl−3*.22	Cl−1, Cl−3, ZO-1*, Occl*.22	Cl−1, Cl−3, Occl, ZO-1.22	Cl−1, Cl−3, Occl, ZO-1.22	Cl−1, Occl.54
Endoneurium: Paranodal region	Undetectable spots.44	CL-1*, Cl−3*, Occl*, ZO-1.44	CL-1*, Cl−3*, Occl*, ZO-1.44	Cl−1, Cl−2, Occl, ZO-1.44	Cl−1, Cl−2, ZO-1.37 Cl−19.38 Tric.43
Endoneurium: Schmidt-Lanterman	Undetectable spots.44	CL-1*, Cl−3*, Occl*, ZO-1.44	CL-1*, Cl−3*, Occl*, ZO-1.44	Cl−1, Cl−2, Cl−3, Cl−5, Occl, ZO-1.44	Cl−5, ZO-1.37 Cl−19.38 Tric.43
Endoneurium: Mesaxons	Undetectable spots.44	Cl−3*, Occl*	Cl−3, Occl*	Cl−1, Cl−2, Cl−3, Occl, ZO-1	Cl−1, ZO-1.37 Cl−19.38 Tric.43
Endoneurium: Node of Ranvier	-.44	-.44	-.44	-.44	Cl−2.37

^* immature labeling pattern; Occl, occludin; Tric, tricellulin.

Expression of mRNA for claudin-1,-2,-3, -5,-9 and -11 has been detected in adult human peripheral nerve.⁴⁴ Tight junction components claudin-1, claudin-2 and ZO-1, as well as E-cadherin, a component of adherens junctions, were localized in paranodal region. Schmidt-Lanterman incisures were positive for claudin-1,-2, -3 and -5, occludin, ZO-1 and E-cadherin. Claudin-1,-2,and -3, ZO-1, occludin and E-cadherin, but not claudin-5, were localized to mesaxons (Table 1).⁴⁴

Tight junction components have also been examined in developing endoneurium of human sciatic nerves. During the first trimester, tight junction components were not reliably detectable. On fetal week 22, antibodies for claudin-1, claudin-3, occludin and ZO-1 showed punctate and linear labeling suggesting mesaxonal localization. At the end of third trimester (week 37) labeling pattern of all four tight junction components was linear and occasionally claudin-1 and claudin-3 labeling could be mapped to Schmidt-Lanterman incisures as a sign of myelination.⁴⁴

Several claudin mouse models have been reported but only two of them focus on claudin-19 in peripheral nerve. Claudin-19 knockout resulted in abnormal gait because of peripheral nervous system defect and specifically Schwann cell barrier defect, but did not show defects in kidney.³⁸ In another mouse model the claudin-19 gene was silenced by siRNA technique and no dysfunction or morphological abnormalities in peripheral were detected.⁴⁵ Thus the functional significance of claudin-19 in peripheral nerve cannot be concluded.

Tight junctions of epithelial cells have been reported to participate in membrane trafficking and vesicle transport, and tight junction proteins are in close contact with other proteins guiding traffic to apical or basolateral membranes.⁴⁶ It can be speculated that tight junction proteins in autotypic junctions may have similar functions in membrane and vesicle trafficking.

To conclude, myelinating cells have distinct structures, including autotypic junctions, dense membrane lamellae, paranodal regions and Schmidt-Lanterman incisures. Various events which disturb function or integrity of myelinating cell structure can lead to neuronal defects.^38,47

Clinical Aspects of the Peripheral Nerve Barriers

While the perineurial barrier serves as protection, it simultaneously inhibits delivery of analgesic drugs to peripheral nerve. Rodent studies have shown that hypertonic saline transiently opens the barrier allowing also hydrophilic drugs to reach their target, such as opioid receptors.^48,49 This leakage has been shown to be regulated by metalloproteinase activation and claudin-1 downregulation.⁵⁰ These studies also establish the function of claudin-1 in the perineurium as the major sealing component, which could be modulated to facilitate drug delivery or, potentially, reseal the barrier under pathological conditions. When studied further, the ability to regulate perineurial diffusion by downregulating claudin-1 may potentially be an important clinical application of claudin research.

Perineurium has an important role in the nerve repair process after trauma. Tight and gap junctions have been elucidated in several experimental studies during recovery of perineurium. The traditional and most widely used peripheral nerve injury model is crush injury which leads to opening of the perineurial barrier and distortion of the neural homeostasis. A more sophisticated injury model is the perineurial window model, in which excision of perineum induces focal demyelination of the remaining nerve fibers in the center of nerve fascicles. Detectable signs of recovery process, such as thin perineurial cell layer and first evidence of tight junctions appear within one week, and by three weeks perineurium has tight junction strands and gap junctions. Perineurial window model emphasizes the role of tight junctions in perineurial repair process.^51-53 Corresponding results have been shown in the nerve injury model in which ligating rat sciatic nerve for 24h resulted in the recovery of claudin-1 expression in perineurium within two days. Gap junctions appeared rather late, within five days and the nerve recovery was accomplished during seven days. Endoneurial blood vessels recovered quickly and full function of blood-nerve barrier was achieved during five days.⁵⁴

Expression of claudin-1 belongs to constant characteristics of perineurial cells, and claudin-1 can be used as a marker for neoplastic perineurial cells, along with Glut-1 and EMA. Claudin-1 is expressed by benign and malignant perineurial tumor cells.³

Studies on tight junction proteins of nervous system are mainly focused on the blood-brain barrier in conditions such as Alzheimer disease, brain stroke, epilepsy and Parkinson disease. Failures in structure or function of blood-brain barrier may result in the development of neurological disease.⁵⁵ However, only a few diseases have been reported concerning dysfunction of tight junction in peripheral nerve. The importance of pericytes is emphasized in diabetic neuropathy in which pericyte degeneration and loss with thickening of basement membranes are the main features.²⁸ Pericytes in neural blood vessels regulate the claudin-5 expression in endothelial cells. Decreased claudin-5 expression in endothelial cells weakens blood-nerve barrier and may lead to demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy.^27,30

Human mutations in claudin-1, -14, -16 and -19 genes have been discovered but none of these have led to symptomps of peripheral nerve.^56-61 It is of interest to note, that mutation in human claudin-19 gene did not result in any defects in peripheral nervous system even though claudin-19 is strongly expressed in mouse Schwann autotypic junctions.^38,59

Conclusions

Studies on neural barriers have mainly concentrated on blood-brain and blood-nerve barriers while knowledge of functions and molecular basis of perineurial barrier are still sparse. Thus, there are many unanswered questions concerning, e.g., the perineurial transcytotic transport, perineurial receptors and even the exact composition of tight junctions. Only a few claudin types have been mapped to perineurium and there may still be tight junction components which have not been studied for this respect. This may be due to the fact that the unique structure and function of the perineurium has not been widely recognized. Instead, perineurium seems to be overlooked in most periphral nerve studies in which the main focus is in the impulse-conducting elements.

Studying human peripheral nerve is always more or less challenging because the samples are not readily available. Animal models have often been good alternatives but using animal models one has to keep in mind that e.g., expression of different claudin types varies between species and conclusions from animal studies to human biology and diseases should be drawn cautiously.

Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest

No potential conflict of interest was disclosed.