The Blood-Brain Barrier in Health and Disease

Erscheinungsjahr 2016
ISBN: 978-1-61504-739-0
Verlag: Morgan & Claypool Life Sciences

Buch, Englisch, 67 Seiten, Paperback, Format (B × H): 191 mm x 235 mm, Gewicht: 161 g

Reihe: Colloquium Series on Integrated Systems Physiology: From Molecule to Function

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a complex and dynamic structure that protects the brain from cells within the vasculature, from the immune system and from pathogens. This barrier is present in arterioles, capillaries and venules and is formed at the level of adjacent endothelial cells, which are coupled to astrocytes, microglia, neurons and pericytes. The structure of this endothelial barrier is unique among endothelia of other organ systems and is composed of complexes made up of tight, gap and adherens junctions. In addition, it is the responsibility of the surrounding cellular elements to maintain the integrity of the junctional complexes and restrict the entry of substances from the blood into the brain. Changes in permeability of the BBB during physiologic and pathophysiologic conditions involve alterations in specific transporters at the level of the endothelium, activation of specific cellular second messenger pathways and/or the dissolution of the junctional complexes composing the BBB. This book focuses on various aspects that account for the formation and maintenance of the BBB, and on disease states that compromise this barrier.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Mayhan, William G.

Arrick, Denise M.

Granger, D. Neil

Inhaltsverzeichnis

- Introduction
- Characteristics of the Blood-Brain Barrier
- Ultrastructural Components of the Blood-Brain Barrier
- Cellular Components of the Blood-Brain Barrier
- Compromising the Blood-Brain Barrier
- Summary
- References
- About the Authors