Abstract
The neurovascular unit (NVU), consisting of endothelial cells, basement membrane, pericytes, astrocytes and microglial cells, couples local neuronal function to local cerebral blood flow and regulates transport of blood-borne molecules across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The building blocks and the phenotype of the NVU are well-established but the intercellular signaling between the different components remains elusive. A better understanding of the cellular interactions and signaling within the NVU is critical for the development of efficient therapeutics for the treatment of a variety of brain diseases, such as brain cancer, stroke, neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. This review gives an overview about the current in vivo knowledge of the NVU and the communication between its different cellular constituents. We also discuss the usefulness of various model organisms for studies of the brain vasculature.
Keywords: Astrocyte, basement membrane, blood-brain barrier, endothelial cell, microglia, neurovascular unit, pericyte, transcytosis, endocytosis, Alzheimer's disease
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Getting to Know the Cast - Cellular Interactions and Signaling at the Neurovascular Unit
Volume: 17 Issue: 26
Author(s): Maarja Mae, Annika Armulik and Christer Betsholtz
Affiliation:
Keywords: Astrocyte, basement membrane, blood-brain barrier, endothelial cell, microglia, neurovascular unit, pericyte, transcytosis, endocytosis, Alzheimer's disease
Abstract: The neurovascular unit (NVU), consisting of endothelial cells, basement membrane, pericytes, astrocytes and microglial cells, couples local neuronal function to local cerebral blood flow and regulates transport of blood-borne molecules across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The building blocks and the phenotype of the NVU are well-established but the intercellular signaling between the different components remains elusive. A better understanding of the cellular interactions and signaling within the NVU is critical for the development of efficient therapeutics for the treatment of a variety of brain diseases, such as brain cancer, stroke, neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. This review gives an overview about the current in vivo knowledge of the NVU and the communication between its different cellular constituents. We also discuss the usefulness of various model organisms for studies of the brain vasculature.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Mae Maarja, Armulik Annika and Betsholtz Christer, Getting to Know the Cast - Cellular Interactions and Signaling at the Neurovascular Unit, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2011; 17 (26) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161211797440113
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161211797440113 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Molecular Cytogenetics and Cytogenomics of Brain Diseases
Current Genomics Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Lung and Liver Protective Activity of <i>Galaxaura oblongata</i> as Antagonistic Efficacy against LPS using Hematological Parameters and Immunohistochemistry as Biomarkers
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Oncoproteomics of Neuroblastoma: A Blueprint for Future Progress
Current Proteomics Regulators of Stem Cells Proliferation in Tissue Regeneration
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy NONO-TFE3 Fusion Promotes Aerobic Glycolysis and Angiogenesis by Targeting <i>HIF1A</i> in <i>NONO-TFE3</i> Translocation Renal Cell Carcinoma
Current Cancer Drug Targets Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacogenetic Analysis of Oral Busulfan in Stem Cell Transplantation: Prediction of Poor Drug Metabolism to Prevent Drug Toxicity
Current Drug Safety Editorial Review (Thematic Issue: An Update on Central Sensitivity Syndromes and the Issues of Nosology and Psychobiology)
Current Rheumatology Reviews Circulating MicroRNAs as Biomarkers for Inflammatory Diseases
MicroRNA A Review of Nutrition Education: Before, Between and Beyond Pregnancy
Current Women`s Health Reviews Interactions of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles with the Immune System: Challenges and Opportunities for their Use in Nano-oncology
Current Pharmaceutical Design Viral Origins of Human Cancer
Current Medicinal Chemistry Recent Advances in Non-Steroidal FXR Antagonists Development for Therapeutic Applications
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Impact of Metabolic Surgery on Type-2 Diabetes Remission
Current Diabetes Reviews Efficacy of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation in the Critically Ill Patients
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) Telomerase Modulation in Therapeutic Approach
Current Pharmaceutical Design Inhibition of Cdc42-Interacting Protein 4 (CIP4) Impairs Osteosarcoma Tumor Progression
Current Cancer Drug Targets Search for Distinctive Markers in DNT and Cortical Grade II Glioma in Children: Same Clinicopathological and Molecular Entities?
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Pharmacological Targeting of IDO-Mediated Tolerance for Treating Autoimmune Disease
Current Drug Metabolism Integrative Neurochemistry and Neurobiology of Social Recognition and Behavior Analyzed with Respect to CD38-Dependent Brain Oxytocin Secretion
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Carbohydrates and Epithelial Repair - More Than Just Post-Translational Modification
Current Drug Targets