Permeability of neutral vs. anionic dextrans in cultured brain microvascular endothelium

The luminal surface of vascular endothelium contains glycocalyx residues that establish an overall negative charge. Recent evidence has suggested that local endothelial surface charge properties may account for the permeability properties of various macromolecules. It has also been suggested that altered membrane charge on the luminal side may play a role in thrombogenesis and atherogenesis. The relationship of macromolecule charge to endothelial cell permeability was examined in vitro using mouse brain microvessel endothelial cells grown to confluence on a nitrocellulose filter separating a double-chamber system. Endothelial permeability to 4K and 10K fluorescein-labeled neutral dextrans was compared with the permeability to 4K and 10K fluorescein-labeled anionic dextrans (sulfated). After 1 h, there was significantly greater permeability of neutral fluorescein-labeled dextran than of anionic fluorescein-labeled dextran in each particle size. In addition, there was significantly greater permeability of 4K than 10K fluorescein-labeled dextrans of either charge. The findings indicate that charge in addition to size plays an important role in the movement of macromolecules across cultured microvascular endothelial cells.