Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans contribute to brain tissue swelling behavior

To identify the constituents of brain responsible for driving edema, swelling behavior of thin slices of adult rat cortex was examined following digestion of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs). The triphasic swelling behavior of brain slices was greatly reduced in slices exposed to chondroitinase ABC for 24 h, relative to controls. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content was reduced in enzyme-treated slices. Taken together, these results indicate that CSPGs contribute to the triphasic swelling behavior of brain tissue.