The blood –brain barrier and its regulation by NF-κB

< h3 class= " a-plus-plus " > Abstract < /h3 > < p class= " a-plus-plus " > The brain is protected by a  tight barrier between the blood and parenchyma. This so-called blood–brain barrier protects the brain from invading pathogens, infiltrating immune cells, and the extravasation of serum proteins. Beside pericytes and astrocytes mainly endothelial cells form this barrier. < /p > < p class= " a-plus-plus " > Inflammation leads to an increase in the permeability of the blood –brain barrier. NF-κB is activated during inflammation and is a key regulator of inflammatory processes. In brain endothelial cells NF-κB protects the blood–brain barrier. Loss of the NF-κB activating protein NEMO in brain endothelial cells leads to endothelial cell death, increased permeabi lity, and epilepsy in mice as well as in humans with the hereditary disease < em class= " a-plus-plus " > incontinentia pigmenti < /em > . Therefore, inflammatory mediators are able to disturb but also to protect the blood –brain barrier. < /p >

Source: e-Neuroforum - May 31, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research