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Notes On The Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB)

The Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) is a selective barrier that protects the brain by regulating the passage of substances between the blood and the central nervous system. It consists of endothelial cells, a basement membrane, astrocytic end-feet, and pericytes, and functions to maintain homeostasis, provide protection, and limit immune cell entry. Disruption of the BBB can lead to various neurological disorders, posing challenges for drug delivery and necessitating ongoing research into therapeutic strategies.

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43 views3 pages

Notes On The Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB)

The Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) is a selective barrier that protects the brain by regulating the passage of substances between the blood and the central nervous system. It consists of endothelial cells, a basement membrane, astrocytic end-feet, and pericytes, and functions to maintain homeostasis, provide protection, and limit immune cell entry. Disruption of the BBB can lead to various neurological disorders, posing challenges for drug delivery and necessitating ongoing research into therapeutic strategies.

Uploaded by

nithusha ranjith
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Notes on the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB)

Definition

● The Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) is a highly selective, semi-permeable barrier that


separates the circulating blood from the brain's extracellular fluid.
● It plays a crucial role in maintaining the homeostasis of the central nervous system
(CNS) and protects the brain from potentially harmful substances.

Structure

1. Endothelial Cells
○ Form tight junctions that restrict paracellular transport.
○ Lack fenestrations (pores) commonly found in capillaries elsewhere in the body.
2. Basement Membrane
○ Provides structural support to the endothelial cells.
3. Astrocytic End-Feet
○ Astrocytes surround the capillaries and secrete factors that maintain BBB
integrity.
4. Pericytes
○ Embedded in the basement membrane, these cells regulate blood flow, and BBB
permeability, and contribute to its stability.

Functions

1. Protection
○ Shields the brain from toxins, pathogens, and harmful substances in the
bloodstream.
2. Selective Permeability
○ Allows essential nutrients (e.g., glucose, amino acids) to pass through while
blocking unwanted molecules.
○ Permits the passage of lipid-soluble substances (e.g., oxygen, carbon dioxide)
and some small, non-polar molecules.
3. Immune Privilege
○ Limits the entry of immune cells, reducing inflammation and damage to neural
tissue.
4. Homeostasis
○ Maintains a stable environment for neuronal function by regulating ion and
molecular transport.
Transport Mechanisms

1. Passive Diffusion
○ Small, non-polar molecules like oxygen and carbon dioxide can diffuse freely.
2. Facilitated Diffusion
○ Carrier proteins assist in the transport of essential nutrients (e.g., glucose via
GLUT1).
3. Active Transport
○ ATP-dependent pumps move substances like amino acids and ions against their
concentration gradients.
4. Endocytosis
○ Vesicle-mediated transport for larger molecules like transferrin (iron) or insulin.

Pathological Conditions

1. Disruption of BBB
○ Can occur due to trauma, infection, ischemia, or neurodegenerative diseases.
○ Leads to increased permeability, allowing harmful substances to enter the CNS.
2. Associated Disorders
○ Alzheimer’s Disease (AD): Amyloid-beta deposits may weaken BBB integrity.
○ Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Inflammatory processes compromise BBB, allowing
immune cells to attack myelin.
○ Brain Tumors: Tumor growth can disrupt BBB, leading to edema and altered
homeostasis.

Clinical Implications

1. Drug Delivery Challenges


○ The BBB restricts the passage of many therapeutic agents, necessitating
specialized delivery systems (e.g., liposomes, nanoparticles).
2. Imaging and Diagnosis
○ Techniques like MRI with contrast agents can evaluate BBB integrity in conditions
like stroke or tumors.
3. Therapeutic Targets
○ Strategies to modulate BBB permeability are under research for enhanced drug
delivery to the brain.

Research Frontiers

● Exploring BBB disruption mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases.


● Developing non-invasive techniques to deliver drugs across the BBB.
● Investigating molecular pathways to strengthen or restore BBB integrity.

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