The blood-brain barrier: morphology, molecules, and neurothelin.
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a complex structure formed by vascular endothelial cells, which serve to stabilize the homeostasic processes that are essential for neural functioning. The barrier relies on tight junctions between neighboring endothelial cells and a highly restricted passage of blood-borne components through the endothelial lining. Selective transport mechanisms guarantee the essential import and export of metabolites through the BBB into and out of the neural microenvironment. The dual functions of barrier and carrier depend on distinct proteins, some of which have been characterized in detail.
Schlosshauer
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Naturwissenschaftliches und Medizinisches Institut Universität Tübingen, Reutlingen, Germany.
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D030161:Avian Proteins; D051926:Basigin; D001692:Biological Transport; D001798:Blood Proteins; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000502:physiology*; D002642:Chick Embryo; D003370:Coturnix / Q000196:embryology; D004058:Diffusion; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000378:metabolism; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009004:Monosaccharide Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D030161:Avian Proteins; D001798:Blood Proteins; C102624:Bsg protein, Gallus gallus; C079432:Bsg protein, rat; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009004:Monosaccharide Transport Proteins; D051926:Basigin; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase