Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) functions as a dynamic boundary that protects the central nervous system from blood and plays an important role in maintaining the homeostasis of the brain. Dysfunction of the BBB is a pathophysiological characteristic of multiple neurologic diseases. Glycocalyx covers the luminal side of vascular endothelial cells(ECs). Damage of glycocalyx leads to disruption of the BBB, while inhibiting glycocalyx degradation maintains BBB integrity. Heparin has been recognized as an anticoagulant and it protects endothelial glycocalyx from destruction. In this review, we summarize the role of glycocalyx in BBB formation and the therapeutic potency of heparin to provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of neurological diseases related to BBB breakdown.
Highlights
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) acts as a blockade to prevent harmful substances from entering the brain and protects the normal operation of cerebral cells
Endothelial glycocalyx acts as an important component affecting BBB function
Endothelial glycocalyx is susceptible to damage, resulting in the BBB breakdown and the aggregation of brain injury
Summary
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) acts as a blockade to prevent harmful substances from entering the brain and protects the normal operation of cerebral cells This protective function depends on the unique and dynamic structure of the BBB, which is composed of capillary endothelial cells with tight junction, basement membrane and astrocytic endfeet [1, 2]. The BBB is present between the brain and vascular tissues in the central nervous system, including penetrating arteries and arterioles, dense capillary beds, posterior capillary venules, and drainage venules [17] It is mainly composed of brain microvascular endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes and acellular components of the basement membrane (BM) [18, 19]. CNS-associated macrophages are elongated cells located between astrocyte terminals and parenchymal blood vessels (mainly arteries and veins), and when they are inactive they extend along the perivascular space and provide the first line of natural immunity by phagocytic debris [32, 33]
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