Fig. 6.

Boosting EC GSH levels prevents injury-induced BBB breakdown.

Primary EC monolayers were either untreated (UNT) or exposed to GSH compounds and exposed to hypoxia/OGD for 48h. GSH enhancers (5mM NAC and 5mM GSHee) and GSH synthetase inhibitor (200mM BSO) were applied. (A and B) EC barrier leakage was measured under Hx and OGD using lucifer yellow. (C and D) Representative immunofluorescent images of claudin-5 and b-catenin localization in EC. Note the disconnection and delocalization of junctions in areas marked by arrows. Asterisks indicate inter-EC gap formation and holes. *P<0.05; One-way ANOVA compared to Nx baseline. ^#P<0.05, ^##P<0.01, ^###P<0.001; Two-way ANOVA, compared to injury untreated (UNT). Mean ± SD. n = 5.