Novel Flow Cytometric Analysis of the Blood Brain Barrier

1. To develop a novel, flow cytometry based assay to study the effects of various treatments on the specialized brain microvascular endothelial cells of the blood brain barrier. 2. To examine the leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions at the blood brain barrier that mediate adhesion to the vasculature by a flow cytometric assay.
Conclusion:
This work describes the novel use of flow cytometry to assess the effects of various experimental agents on the specialized endothelial cells comprising the blood brain barrier, with an emphasis on leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions. Each experiment was performed in at least three replicate conditions, three independent times (n=3). Isotype matched negative controls were used for every detection antibody in the study. FMO controls were used in multicolor staining parameters.