7 research outputs found
MiR-34a regulates blood-brain barrier permeability and mitochondrial function by targeting cytochrome c
The bloodâbrain barrier is composed of cerebrovascular endothelial cells and tight junctions, and maintaining its integrity is crucial for the homeostasis of the neuronal environment. Recently, we discovered that mitochondria play a critical role in maintaining bloodâbrain barrier integrity. We report for the first time a novel mechanism underlying bloodâbrain barrier integrity: miR-34a mediated regulation of bloodâbrain barrier through a mitochondrial mechanism. Bioinformatics analysis suggests miR-34a targets several mitochondria-associated gene candidates. We demonstrated that miR-34a triggers the breakdown of bloodâbrain barrier in cerebrovascular endothelial cell monolayer in vitro, paralleled by reduction of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and adenosine triphosphate production, and decreased cytochrome c levels