TY - JOUR
T1 - The translational significance of the neurovascular unit
AU - McConnell, Heather L.
AU - Kersch, Cymon N.
AU - Woltjer, Randall L.
AU - Neuwelt, Edward A.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© Copyright 2016 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
PY - 2017/1/20
Y1 - 2017/1/20
N2 - The mammalian brain is supplied with blood by specialized vasculature that is structurally and functionally distinct from that of the periphery. A defining feature of this vasculature is a physical blood-brain barrier (BBB). The BBB separates blood components from the brain microenvironment, regulating the entry and exit of ions, nutrients, macromolecules, and energy metabolites. Over the last two decades, physiological studies of cerebral blood flow dynamics have demonstrated that substantial intercellular communication occurs between cells of the vasculature and the neurons and glia that abut the vasculature. These findings suggest that the BBB does not function independently, but as a module within the greater context of a multicellular neurovascular unit (NVU) that includes neurons, astrocytes, pericytes, and microglia as well as the blood vessels themselves. Here, we describe the roles of these NVU components as well as how they act in concert to modify cerebrovascular function and permeability in health and in select diseases.
AB - The mammalian brain is supplied with blood by specialized vasculature that is structurally and functionally distinct from that of the periphery. A defining feature of this vasculature is a physical blood-brain barrier (BBB). The BBB separates blood components from the brain microenvironment, regulating the entry and exit of ions, nutrients, macromolecules, and energy metabolites. Over the last two decades, physiological studies of cerebral blood flow dynamics have demonstrated that substantial intercellular communication occurs between cells of the vasculature and the neurons and glia that abut the vasculature. These findings suggest that the BBB does not function independently, but as a module within the greater context of a multicellular neurovascular unit (NVU) that includes neurons, astrocytes, pericytes, and microglia as well as the blood vessels themselves. Here, we describe the roles of these NVU components as well as how they act in concert to modify cerebrovascular function and permeability in health and in select diseases.
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U2 - 10.1074/jbc.R116.760215
DO - 10.1074/jbc.R116.760215
M3 - Review article
C2 - 27920202
AN - SCOPUS:85010665781
SN - 0021-9258
VL - 292
SP - 762
EP - 770
JO - Journal of Biological Chemistry
JF - Journal of Biological Chemistry
IS - 3
ER -