InhA from Bacillus anthracis Disrupts the Blood-Brain Barrier and Causes Hemorrhagic Meningitis
Author Information
Author(s): Dhrimitan V. Mukherjee, Jessica H. Tonry, Kwang Sik Kim, Nalini Ramarao, Taissia G. Popova, Charles Bailey, Serguei Popov, Myung-Chul Chung
Primary Institution: George Mason University
Hypothesis
InhA plays a role in increasing blood-brain barrier permeability associated with anthrax meningitis.
Conclusion
InhA contributes to blood-brain barrier disruption and hemorrhagic brain damage in anthrax meningitis.
Supporting Evidence
- InhA treatment led to a significant decrease in trans-endothelial electrical resistance in human brain microvascular endothelial cells.
- Mice injected with InhA showed increased Evans Blue dye extravasation, indicating blood-brain barrier leakage.
- Histological analysis revealed leptomeningeal thickening and hemorrhage in mice treated with InhA.
Takeaway
InhA is a protein from anthrax bacteria that makes the blood-brain barrier leaky, which can lead to serious brain problems.
Methodology
The study used human brain microvascular endothelial cells and mouse models to assess the effects of InhA on blood-brain barrier integrity.
Limitations
The study primarily focused on the effects of InhA without considering other potential pathogenic factors from B. anthracis.
Participant Demographics
Female DBA/2 mice were used in the in vivo experiments.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.015
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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