title: Development, maintenance and disruption of the blood-brain barrier.
abstract: The interface between the blood circulation and the neural tissue features unique characteristics that are encompassed by the term 'blood-brain barrier' (BBB). The main functions of this barrier, namely maintenance of brain homeostasis, regulation of influx and efflux transport, and protection from harm, are determined by its specialized multicellular structure. Every constituent cell type makes an indispensable contribution to the BBB's integrity. But if one member of the BBB fails, and as a result the barrier breaks down, there can be dramatic consequences and neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration can occur. In this Review, we highlight recently gained mechanistic insights into the development and maintenance of the BBB. We then discuss how BBB disruption can cause or contribute to neurological disease. Finally, we examine how this knowledge can be used to explore new possibilities for BBB repair.
authors.affiliation: Neuroinflammation Research Center, Department of Neuroscience, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.identifier: 000000029248684X
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Obermeier
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Daneman
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Ransohoff
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000196:embryology; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000196:embryology* / Q000293:injuries* / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply / Q000196:embryology; D006801:Humans; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000502:physiology; D060449:Wnt Signaling Pathway / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A