Regulation of the Blood-Brain Barrier in Health and Disease

Cara C Rada; Kanako Yuki; Jie Ding; Calvin J Kuo

doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a041191

Regulation of the Blood-Brain Barrier in Health and Disease

Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med. 2023 Mar 27;13(12):a041191. doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041191. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Cara C Rada¹, Kanako Yuki¹, Jie Ding¹, Calvin J Kuo²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA.
² Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA [email protected].

PMID: 36987582
PMCID: PMC10691497 (available on 2025-12-01)
DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041191

Abstract

The neurovascular unit is a dynamic microenvironment with tightly controlled signaling and transport coordinated by the blood-brain barrier (BBB). A properly functioning BBB allows sufficient movement of ions and macromolecules to meet the high metabolic demand of the central nervous system (CNS), while protecting the brain from pathogenic and noxious insults. This review describes the main cell types comprising the BBB and unique molecular signatures of these cells. Additionally, major signaling pathways for BBB development and maintenance are highlighted. Finally, we describe the pathophysiology of BBB diseases, their relationship to barrier dysfunction, and identify avenues for therapeutic intervention.