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The vasculature of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus: influence of development, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, and prenatal glucocorticoids

dc.contributor.authorFrahm, Krystle A., author
dc.contributor.authorTobet, Stuart A., advisor
dc.contributor.authorHentges, Shane, committee member
dc.contributor.authorTamkun, Michael, committee member
dc.contributor.authorGarrity, Deborah, committee member
dc.date.accessioned2007-01-03T06:42:45Z
dc.date.available2015-06-30T05:57:00Z
dc.date.issued2014
dc.description.abstractThe paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) is a critical brain region that regulates many homeostatic and stress responses. In addition to its dense cytoarchitecture, it also contains a vast network of blood vessels. These blood vessels within the mouse PVN have a higher density than other brain regions, which develops postnatally. Loss of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) signaling or prenatal dexamethasone (dex) treatment decreased the blood vessel density. Dex also decreased blood brain barrier (BBB) competency while increasing desmin-immunoreactive pericytes at postnatal day (P)20. Long-term consequences included a decrease in GFAP contact with blood vessels selectively in dex-treated females, and an increase in depression-like behaviors in dex-treated males. Chapter 2 examines the blood vessel density within the PVN. Initially the blood vessel density is similar than surrounding brain regions, then after P8 there was an increase that resulted in a highly vascularized network around P20. The highest densities were restricted to the rostral and mid regions of the PVN, where the neuroendocrine neurons are housed. In addition, mice lacking a functional GABAB receptor had a significant decrease in blood vessel density in the mid region at P20. The protein endocan has been proposed to be a "tip cell" marker, indicating angiogenesis. To further characterize the postnatal angiogenic period within the PVN, recently developed antibodies against endocan were used. Chapter 3 provides evidence that endocan is normally expressed in the mouse brain but not restricted to tip cells. In addition, prior perfusion with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) prevents endocan-immunoreactivity (ir) and provides a novel method for identifying non-functional blood vessels. Chapters 4 and 5 show that excess fetal glucocorticoids alters the BBB within the PVN at two time points. At P20, there was a loss of BBB integrity accompanied by an increase in desmin-ir pericytes on a reduced blood vessel network due to dex-treatment for both prepubertal males and females. In contrast at P50, the blood vessel density and BBB were no longer disrupted following fetal dex-treatment. However, there was a decrease in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-ir astrocytes in dex-treated females and an increase in desmin-ir pericytes in dextreated males. In conclusion, the work set forth in this dissertation indicates that the dense vascular network within the PVN develops postnatally and is susceptible to regulation by both exogenous and endogenous factors.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediumdoctoral dissertations
dc.identifierFrahm_colostate_0053A_12286.pdf
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10217/82618
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relation.ispartof2000-2019
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.subjectparaventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus
dc.subjectblood-brain barrier
dc.subjectglucocorticoids
dc.titleThe vasculature of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus: influence of development, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, and prenatal glucocorticoids
dc.typeText
dcterms.embargo.expires2015-06-30
dcterms.embargo.terms2015-06-30
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplineCell and Molecular Biology
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelDoctoral
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

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