Effect of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and LPS in the microvasculature of striatal brain mice.

PINTO ALIPIO; JACOBSEN MARIANA; CANGELOSI ADRIANA; TIRONI-FARINATI CARLA; CEJUDO MARIA LAURA; GEOGHEGAN PATRICIA; GOLDSTEIN JORGE

Congreso; XXVI Congreso Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Neurociencia; 2011

The central nervous system (CNS) is usually affected in patients that suffer from hemolytic uremic syndrome by STEC infection. In addition to Stx2, LPS from STEC secretion may be involved, and the neurovascular unit alteration in this pathology is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to determine whether Stx2 alters striatal brain microvasculature, and whether LPS exacerbates it. 30g NIH mice were subjected to endo venous (e.v.) sublethal administration of Stx2, Stx2+LPS, LPS or vehicle. The brains were processed and analyzed until day 7 by confocal microscope. Treated brains were subjected to Lectin histofluorescence from Lycopersicon esculentum to study endothelial profile. Confocal micrographs were analyzed by Image J. An increase in the number, area and histofluorescence intensity of microvesels were found in striatal brains of e.v. Stx2+LPS administration after 7 days, compared to Stx2, LPS or vehicle (p