Glut1 glucose transporter in the primate choroid plexus endothelium

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to define the cellular location of the Glut1 glucose transporter in the primate choroid plexus. Immunogold electron microscopy indicated that Glut1 epitopes were associated primarily with choroid plexus endothelial cells. Digitized analyses of electron microscopic images provided quantitative estimates of the relative number of Glut1 glucose transporter epitopes on luminal and abluminal endothelial cell membranes within the choroid plexuses. We recorded a high density of Glut1 in the microvascular endothelium of primate choroid plexus, which was consistent in vervet monkeys (5-10 Glut1 gold particles per micrometer of endothelial cell plasma membrane), as well as in baboons (5-20 Glut1 gold particles per micrometer of capillary plasma membrane). In the baboon choroid plexus, we observed that perivascular cells (presumed to be pericytes) were also Glut1-positive, but with substantially reduced activity compared with endothelial cells. Occasional Glut1-immunogold particles were also seen in the basolateral membranes of the choroid plexus cuboidal cells. Light microscopic immunocytochemistry confirmed the abundance of Glut1 immunoreactivity in choroid plexus endothelial cells of vervet monkeys and baboons. A similar pattern was observed in surgically resected human choroid plexus, suggesting differences between primates, including humans and laboratory animals. The only difference was that erythrocytes within the human choroid plexus exhibited a florid Glut1-positive response, but were weakly immunoreactive in nonhuman primates. The observation of high glucose transporter densities in choroid plexus endothelial cells is consistent with the suggestion that choroidal epithelia and capillaries provide a metabolic work capability for maintaining ionic gradients and secretory functions across the blood-CSF barriers.