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The Molecular Constituents of the Blood–Brain Barrier

2015; Elsevier BV; Volume: 38; Issue: 10 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.tins.2015.08.003

1878-108X

Brian Wai Chow, Chenghua Gu,

Trace Elements in Health

The BBB comprises CNS endothelial cells that display specialized molecular properties essential for BBB function and integrity. These molecular BBB properties are not intrinsic to CNS endothelial cells but have to be induced by the environment. The formation, function, and maintenance of the BBB require functional interaction between CNS endothelial cells and NVUs. Advances in gene profiling and cell-type purification methods have progressed the identification of the molecular mediators and core cellular pathways involved in BBB function and integrity. A comprehensive understanding of the key molecules and cellular pathways involved in BBB function would offer novel strategies for CNS therapeutics. The blood–brain barrier (BBB) maintains the optimal microenvironment in the central nervous system (CNS) for proper brain function. The BBB comprises specialized CNS endothelial cells with fundamental molecular properties essential for the function and integrity of the BBB. The restrictive nature of the BBB hinders the delivery of therapeutics for many neurological disorders. In addition, recent evidence shows that BBB dysfunction can precede or hasten the progression of several neurological diseases. Despite the physiological significance of the BBB in health and disease, major discoveries of the molecular regulators of BBB formation and function have occurred only recently. This review highlights recent findings describing the molecular determinants and core cellular pathways that confer BBB properties on CNS endothelial cells. The blood–brain barrier (BBB) maintains the optimal microenvironment in the central nervous system (CNS) for proper brain function. The BBB comprises specialized CNS endothelial cells with fundamental molecular properties essential for the function and integrity of the BBB. The restrictive nature of the BBB hinders the delivery of therapeutics for many neurological disorders. In addition, recent evidence shows that BBB dysfunction can precede or hasten the progression of several neurological diseases. Despite the physiological significance of the BBB in health and disease, major discoveries of the molecular regulators of BBB formation and function have occurred only recently. This review highlights recent findings describing the molecular determinants and core cellular pathways that confer BBB properties on CNS endothelial cells. the development of new vessels from proliferation of pre-existing endothelial cells. a physiological barrier comprising a thin layer of continuous, non-fenestrated CNS endothelial cells that regulates the brain microenvironment for proper neuronal function. mesoderm-derived cells that line the vasculature of the circulatory system. the introduction of antigens without eliciting an inflammatory adaptive immune response. the functional interactions among neurons, glia, pericytes, and endothelial cells. a junctional complex between two cells that is essential for cell polarity, barrier functions, and cell adhesion. vesicular trafficking from the luminal to the abluminal plasma membrane and vice versa.