The Blood Brain Barrier and Inflammation

Within the central nervous system (CNS) the constantly changing blood stream is separated from the CNS parenchyma by the blood brain barrier (BBB) restricting passage to selected immune cells. Under pathological conditions, however, viruses, bacteria, parasites and autoaggressive immune cells can penetrate the barrier and contribute to CNS inflammation. The BBB actively contributes to neuroinflammation by presentation of chemokines, expression of cell adhesion molecules and alteration of barrier properties. As such, understanding the role of the BBB under healthy and pathological conditions is essential for the development of new drugs to efficiently combat inflammatory diseases of the CNS. This book presents a comprehensive collection of reviews that focus on the role of the BBB. Experts in the field share their insight on structural, topological and functional properties of the BBB. They elaborate on pathophysiological changes of the inflamed BBB such as permeability, transporter proteins and alterations in microRNAs and cytokine profile. Additional chapters on multiple sclerosis and bacterial meningitis provide in depth information on significant neuroinflammatory diseases. The selection is complemented by a review on the current understanding of the BBB as signaling hub in tumor pathogenesis in the brain.

Auteur
Ruth Lyck (PD, PhD), group leader, Theodor-Kocher-Institute, Bern, Switzerland, works on extravasation of immune cells or metastasing cancer cells across the blood brain barrier. Gaby Enzmann (PhD), Research Associate, Theodor-Kocher-Institute, Bern, Switzerland, works on immune cell trafficking across the brain barriers into the central nervous system.

Résumé

This PIR volume presents a comprehensive collection of reviews that focus on the role of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) during steady-state and inflamed conditions. Within the central nervous system (CNS) the constantly changing bloodstream is strictly separated from the CNS parenchyma by the BBB. However, viruses, bacteria, parasites and auto-aggressive immune cells can penetrate the barrier and significantly contribute to CNS inflammation. The BBB can actively contribute to neuroinflammation by presentation of chemokines, expression of cell adhesion molecules and alterations of barrier properties. As such, understanding the role of the BBB under healthy and pathological conditions is essential to the development of new drugs to efficiently combat inflammatory diseases of the CNS.

Contenu

General Introduction to Barrier Mechanisms in the Central Nervous System.- Topological Aspects of the Blood-brain and Blood cerebrospinal Fluid Barriers and their Relevance in Inflammation Research.- The Contribution of the Extracellular Matrix to the BBB in Steady State and Inflammatory Conditions.- Pathophysiology of the Bloodbrain Barrier in Neuroinflammatory Diseases.- Leakage at Blood-neural Barriers.- Blood-Brain Barrier Transporters and Neuroinflammation: Partners in Neuroprotection and in Pathology.- MicroRNAs in Brain Endothelium and Inflammation.- Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction during Central Nervous System Autoimmune Diseases.- Pathways Across the Blood Brain Barrier.- Neuroinflammation in Bacterial Meningitis.- Blood Vessels in the Brain: a Signaling Hub in Brain Tumor Inflammation.