Hyperosmotic arabinose solutions open the tight junctions between brain capillary endothelial cells in tissue culture

Tight junctions between bovine brain capillary endothelial cells in primary cell culture are impermeable to horseradish peroxidase (HRP) after 5 min of incubation. However, following 1-5 min of exposure to 1.6 M arabinose, HRP penetrates the extracellular space between successive tight junctions. Endothelial cells in control cultures contain a small number of cytoplasmic pits and vesicles containing HRP which do not increase in number after hyperosmotic treatment.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/24782/1/0000206.pd