Molecular mechanisms of prostaglandin elimination across brain barriers and its application to neural inflammatory diseases

The expression and localization of mPGES-1 and L-PGDS proteins was examined by immunohistochemical analysis. L-PGDS were expressed in leptomeningeal cells. The signals derived from mPGES-1 were detected in leptomeningeal cells and astrocytes. In the inflammatory model of mice, this mPGES-1 signal was strongly detected in brain capillary endothelial cells, which forms the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In this model, the elimination of PGD2, which is involved in the progression of inflammatory responses, across the BBB was attenuated. From these results, the BBB plays a role in the regulation of the physiological function of prostaglandins in the brain.