Evaluating permeability surface-area product as a measure of blood-brain barrier permeability in a murine model

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Permeability surface-area product has been suggested as a marker for BBB permeability with potential applications in clinical care and research. However, few studies have demonstrated its correlation with actual quantitative measurements of BBB permeability. Our aim was to demonstrate the correlation of quantitative permeability surface-area product and BBB permeability in a murine model by histologic confirmation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Coronal MR imaging was performed on mice treated with mannitol (n=6) for disruption of the BBB and controls treated with saline (n=5). Permeability surface-area product was determined by ROI placement and was compared between saline-and mannitol-treated mice. Correlation was made with contrast-enhancement measurements and immunohistologic-stained sections of tripeptidyl peptidase-1 distribution in mice treated with mannitol and saline followed by injection of a viral vector containing the CLN2 gene, which directs production of tripeptidyl peptidase-1. RESULTS: Significantly increased permeability surface-area product was seen in mannitol-compared with saline-treated mice in the whole brain (P