[Abstract Title]. - Society for Neuroscience

Authors: F. MARQUES 1 , A. L. FALCÃO 1 , J. C. SOUSA 1 , G. COPPOLA 3 , D. GESCHWIND 3 ,
N. SOUSA 1 , M. CORREIA-NEVES 1 , *J. A. PALHA 2 ;
1 Life and Hlth. Sci. Res. Inst. (ICVS), Sch. of Hlth. Sci., 2 Hlth. Sci. Sch., Univ. of Minho, Braga,
Portugal; 3 Dept. of Neurology, David Geffen Sch. of Med., UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Abstract: Iron is essential for normal mammalian cellular homeostasis but, in excess, promotes
free radical formation and its accumulation has been associated with some neurodegenerative
disorders. Iron is also required for microbial growth and in case of infection the host activates
several mechanisms to prevent iron availability for bacteria. We have recently shown that the
choroid plexus can contribute to the brain innate immune response by synthesizing and secreting
lipocalin 2 into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Here, we show the involvement of other genes in
regulating iron homeostasis in the brain. We now show that hepcidin (HAMP) mRNA levels are
up-regulated in the choroid plexus after intraperitoneal administration of lipopolysaccharide.
HAMP is known to be a liver-derived hormone that regulates iron availability by decreasing
ferroportin (FPN)-mediated iron export from the enterocyte into the bloodstream. Other genes
also involved in the regulation of iron metabolism are up-regulated by the peripheral
inflammatory stimulus. We propose that upon an acute peripheral inflammatory stimulus HAMP
decreases FPN-mediated iron delivery into the CSF, therefore decreasing iron availability for
bacterial growth and dissemination within the brain.
Disclosures: F. Marques, None; J.A. Palha , None; A.L. Falcão, None; J.C. Sousa, None; M.
Correia-Neves, None; N. Sousa, None; D. Geschwind, None; G. Coppola, None.
Poster
287. Blood Brain Barrier and CSF
Time: Sunday, November 16, 2008, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Program#/Poster#: 287.13/RR7
Topic: E.01.d. Development
Support: The Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust
Title: Localization of gamma-protocadherin proteins to the apical surface of choroid plexus and
ependymal epithelial cells suggests novel functions distinct from cell-cell adhesion
Authors: *J. A. WEINER, L. F. HELSPER;
Dept Biolog Sci., Univ. Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Abstract: Protocadherins (Pcdhs) comprise a large family of putative adhesion molecules related
to the well-studied, homophilic classical cadherins. Genes encoding ~60 Pcdh molecules are