Figure 5

Effect of TNF-α on migration of pericytes (A), RBECs (B) and astrocytes (C), which constitute the BBB. Pericytes were treated with TNF-α (50 ng/mL) for 72 h in the presence of mouse IgG or anti-MMP-9 antibody. Astrocytes and RBECs were treated with TNF-α (50 ng/mL) for 72 h. Representative phase-contrast images showing the fixed position in the wound area at 0 and 72 h after scratching (A: left panels; B and C: top panels). The number of cells migrating into the initial wound area was counted at 72 h after scratching and the data are expressed as mean ± S.E.M. for three experiments. (A: right panel; B and C: bottom panels). *P < 0.05, significantly different from vehicle-treated pericytes. ^# P < 0.05, significantly different from TNF-α treated pericytes. Scale Bar = 100 μm.