Specialized Localization of P-Glycoprotein Recognized by MRK 16 Monoclonal Antibody in Endothelial Cells of the Brain and the Spinal Cord |
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| Authors: | Isamu Sugawara Hirofumi Hamada Takashi Tsuruo Shigeo Mori |
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| Affiliation: | Department of Pathology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4–6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108;Cancer Chemotherapy Center, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 1–37-1 Kami-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 170;The Institute of Applied Microbiology, The University of Tokyo, 1–1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113 |
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| Abstract: | This communication describes the cellular and ultrastructural localization in the central nervous system of P-glycoprotein (P-GP) recognized by a murine monoclonal antibody, MRK 16. At the ultrastructural level P-GP was strictly confined to the luminal surface of the endothelial cells which comprise the capillary vessels of the brain and the spinal cord. No P-GP was found in the endothelial cells of other organs. Our findings may be useful as a means to define the blood-brain barrier, and they imply that the blood-brain barrier is anatomically characterized by the presence of intercellular tight junctions between continuous nonfenestrated endothelial cells. |
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| Keywords: | P-glycoprotein MRK 16 Endothelial cell Brain Spinal cord |
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