title: The role of the ATP-binding cassette transporter P-glycoprotein in the transport of β-amyloid across the blood-brain barrier.
abstract: The blood-brain barrier (BBB) protects the brain against endogenous and exogenous compounds and plays an important part in the maintenance of the microenvironment of the brain. In particular, the importance of brain-to-blood transport of brain-derived metabolites across the BBB has gained increasing attention as a potential mechanism in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, which is characterized by the aberrant polymerization and accumulation of specific misfolded proteins, particularly β-amyloid (Aβ). There is growing evidence that the ABC transport protein P-glycoprotein (P-gp), a major component of the BBB, mediates the efflux of Aβ from the brain. In this review, we discuss the possible role of P-gp in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, and consider how a fuller understanding of this function might promote the development of more effective treatment strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuropathology, University of Greifswald, Germany. sivogelg@uni-greifswald.de
authors.forename: Silke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vogelgesang
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jedlitschky
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brenn
authors.forename: Lary C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000503:physiopathology; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D020168:ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides