Abstract T P409: Experimental Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion Results in Decreased Pericyte Coverage and Increased Blood Brain Barrier Permeability in the Corpus Callosum

Murine chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) results in white matter (WM) injury and behavioral deficits. Underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Pericytes influence blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity and cerebral blood flow. Under hypoxic conditions, perictyes detach from perivascular locations increasing blood vessel permeability and secondary neuronal injury. This study aims to characterize the time course of BBB dysfunction and pericyte coverage following murine experimental CCH. White matter injury and behavioral deficits have been reported consistently on post-operative day 30 in this model. C57BL/6J mice underwent either CCH (n=12) or sham operation (n=9). BBB permeability in the corpus callosum (CC) was characterized on post-procedure days 1, 3, 7, and 30 using Evans blue (EB) extravasation and IgG staining. Pericyte coverage (CD 13/CD31 ratio) in the paramedian region of the corpus callosum was calculated on post-procedure days 1, 3, 7, and 30. The CCH cohort demonstrated increased EB extravasation...