Postnatal Maturation of the Blood–Brain Barrier in Senescence-Accelerated OXYS Rats, Which Are Prone to an Alzheimer’s Disease-like Pathology

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an old-age neurodegenerative disorder; however, AD predisposition may arise early in life. Vascular dysfunction makes a big contribution to AD development. Nonetheless, the possible role of early-life vascular dysfunction in AD development is still poorly investigated. Here, using OXYS rats as a suitable model of the most common (sporadic) type of AD, we investigated maturation of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) in the hippocampus and frontal cortex in the first 3 weeks of life. Using RNA-Seq data, we found an altered expression of BBB-associated genes in the middle of the first and second weeks of life in OXYS rats compared to control rats (Wistar strain). Moreover, by immunohistochemistry and electronic microscopy, we revealed a delay of vascularization and of subsequent pericyte coating of blood vessels in OXYS rats. These specific features were accompanied by an accelerated decrease in BBB permeability estimated using Evans blue dye. Notably, almost all of the observed differences from Wistar rats disappeared on postnatal day 20. Nonetheless, the observed features, which are characteristic of the postnatal period, may have long-term consequences and contribute to neurovascular dysfunction observed in OXYS rats late in life, thereby promoting early development of AD signs.