Abstract
The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a tightly regulated interface in the Central Nervous System (CNS) that regulates the exchange of molecules in and out from the brain thus maintaining the CNS homeostasis. It is mainly composed of endothelial cells (ECs), pericytes and astrocytes that create a neurovascular unit (NVU) with the adjacent neurons. Astrocytes are essential for the formation and maintenance of the BBB by providing secreted factors that lead to the adequate association between the cells of the BBB and the formation of strong tight junctions. Under neurological disorders, such as chronic cerebral ischemia, brain trauma, Epilepsy, Alzheimer and Parkinson’s Diseases, a disruption of the BBB takes place, involving a lost in the permeability of the barrier and phenotypical changes in both the ECs and astrocytes. In this aspect, it has been established that the process of reactive gliosis is a common feature of astrocytes during BBB disruption, which has a detrimental effect on the barrier function and a subsequent damage in neuronal survival. In this review we discuss the implications of astrocyte functions in the protection of the BBB, and in the development of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and related disorders. Additionally, we highlight the current and future strategies in astrocyte protection aimed at the development of restorative therapies for the BBB in pathological conditions.
Highlights
The Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) is an essential regulatory component of the neural interface with the brain vasculature
The BBB is composed by brain capillary endothelial cells (ECs), with a specific phenotype located in a strong association with astrocytic endfeet processes and mesenchymal-like cells pericytes
In the present review we provide a throughout overview of the astrocytic functions in the BBB and its importance during pathophysiological events elicited in Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
Summary
Astrocytic modulation of blood brain barrier: perspectives on Parkinson’s disease. Ricardo Cabezas 1, Marcos Ávila 1, Janneth Gonzalez 1, Ramon Santos El-Bachá 2, Eliana Báez 1, Luis Miguel García-Segura 3, Juan Camilo Jurado Coronel 1, Francisco Capani 4, Gloria Patricia Cardona-Gomez 5 and George E. The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a tightly regulated interface in the Central Nervous System (CNS) that regulates the exchange of molecules in and out from the brain maintaining the CNS homeostasis It is mainly composed of endothelial cells (ECs), pericytes and astrocytes that create a neurovascular unit (NVU) with the adjacent neurons. Astrocytes are essential for the formation and maintenance of the BBB by providing secreted factors that lead to the adequate association between the cells of the BBB and the formation of strong tight junctions Under neurological disorders, such as chronic cerebral ischemia, brain trauma, Epilepsy, Alzheimer and Parkinson’s Diseases, a disruption of the BBB takes place, involving a lost in the permeability of the barrier and phenotypical changes in both the ECs and astrocytes.
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