Region specific-alteration of blood-brain barrier development caused by prenatal exposure to inflammation

Objectives: Perinatal inflammation affects brain development and has long-term consequences. The permeability of the developing blood-brain barrier (BBB) of neonates has not been characterized such that treatment of brain damage using anti-inflammatory drugs is limited. So far, most of the animal studies testing the efficiency of neuroprotective drugs used invasive (e.g., intracerebral) injection. Transfer of treatment options to the clinic first requires a better understanding of the BBB development and of its permeability. We therefore undertook this study to evaluate postnatally the developing variations of BBB permeability to a contrast agent using MRI and to an anti-inflammatory treatment using histology and protein extract. We also evaluated the modulation of the BBB permeability by prenatal exposure to inflammation.