We report that extracellular matrix and neurons modulate the expression of occludin, one of the main components of tight junctions, by rat brain endothelial cells (RBE4.B). Of the three extracellular matrix proteins which we tested (collagen I, collagen IV, and laminin), collagen IV stimulated at the best the expression of occludin mRNA. The corresponding protein, however, was not synthesized. Significant amounts of occludin accumulated only when RBE4.B cells were cultured on collagen IV-coated inserts, in the presence of cortical neurons, plated on laminin-coated companion wells. Finally, occludin segregated at the cell periphery, only when endothelial cells were co-cultured with neurons for > or = 1 week.

Our results suggest that the new topical drug delivery system (formulation A) may enhance, at least in terms of symptom remission and compliance, the effectiveness of clobetasol propionate at a dose of 0.025% in OLP therapy.

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