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Related Concept Videos

The Blood-brain Barrier00:49

The Blood-brain Barrier

Overview
Cerebrospinal Fluid01:21

Cerebrospinal Fluid

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a colorless liquid that flows around the brain and the spinal cord, playing a vital role in the protection, support, and overall function of the central nervous system (CNS). CSF production, circulation, and absorption are tightly regulated processes essential for the brain and spinal cord to function properly.
CSF Production
CSF is produced mainly in the choroid plexus, a network of capillaries and ependymal cells located within the ventricular system of the brain.
Physiological Barriers01:25

Physiological Barriers

Physiological barriers are semi-permeable cellular structures restricting drug diffusion into intracellular compartments and tissues. There are six types of physiological barriers: blood endothelial, cell membrane, blood-brain, blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood-placenta, and blood-testis barriers.
The blood endothelial barrier is the most porous of these. It allows all small ionized, un-ionized, and lipophilic molecules to pass through the endothelial lining into the interstitial space...
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology01:22

Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology

Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this barrier loses...
Factors Affecting Drug Distribution: Physiological Barriers01:23

Factors Affecting Drug Distribution: Physiological Barriers

Drug distribution in the body is intricately regulated by various physiological barriers that control the passage of substances. These include the capillary endothelial barrier, the blood-brain, blood-cerebrospinal fluid, blood-placental, and blood-testis barriers.
The capillary endothelial barrier allows only smaller molecules below 600 Da (Daltons) to pass through. It also restricts drugs like heparin that are bound to blood components, limiting their movement within the bloodstream.
The...
Transcellular Transport of Solutes01:23

Transcellular Transport of Solutes

Transcellular transport of solutes is the movement of substances like monosaccharides and amino acids through polarized cells. This transport mechanism is primarily seen in epithelial and endothelial cells aided by membrane transport proteins such as channels and transporters. The tight junctions between these cells confine the membrane proteins to the two sides of the cell. The epithelial cells have distinct apical and basolateral domains. In contrast, the endothelial cells show the luminal...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

A Choroid Plexus Epithelial Cell-based Model of the Human Blood-Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier to Study Bacterial Infection from the Basolateral Side
09:58

A Choroid Plexus Epithelial Cell-based Model of the Human Blood-Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier to Study Bacterial Infection from the Basolateral Side

Published on: May 6, 2016

The blood-CSF barrier explained: when development is not immaturity.

Pia A Johansson1, Katarzyna M Dziegielewska, Shane A Liddelow

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic, Australia. piaaj@unimelb.edu.au

Bioessays : News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
|February 23, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The developmental blood-CSF barrier is mature early on, restricting molecules via tight junctions. Protein and marker transfer occurs transcellularly, not via paracellular routes, explaining developmental changes in fetal brain barrier function.

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Isolation of Cerebrospinal Fluid from Rodent Embryos for use with Dissected Cerebral Cortical Explants
09:47

Isolation of Cerebrospinal Fluid from Rodent Embryos for use with Dissected Cerebral Cortical Explants

Published on: March 11, 2013

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Last Updated: Jul 7, 2026

A Choroid Plexus Epithelial Cell-based Model of the Human Blood-Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier to Study Bacterial Infection from the Basolateral Side
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A Choroid Plexus Epithelial Cell-based Model of the Human Blood-Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier to Study Bacterial Infection from the Basolateral Side

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Isolation of Cerebrospinal Fluid from Rodent Embryos for use with Dissected Cerebral Cortical Explants
09:47

Isolation of Cerebrospinal Fluid from Rodent Embryos for use with Dissected Cerebral Cortical Explants

Published on: March 11, 2013

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • The maturity of brain barriers during development is debated.
  • High fetal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein and decreasing marker permeability suggest immaturity.
  • Teleological interpretations and experimental data inform this debate.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanism of the developmental blood-CSF barrier.
  • To determine if tight junctions mature early in development.
  • To explain the observed changes in CSF protein and marker permeability during development.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of tight junction function in the blood-CSF barrier.
  • Assessment of transcellular vs. paracellular transport routes.
  • Modeling of volume of distribution effects on marker permeability.
  • Investigation of developmentally regulated cellular transfer mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • The blood-CSF barrier utilizes tight junctions, similar to adults, restricting paracellular passage of lipid-insoluble molecules.
  • Both proteins and passive markers are transferred via a transcellular route.
  • Decreased apparent permeability for passive markers is explained by changes in volume of distribution.
  • Developmentally regulated cellular transfer explains altered CSF protein concentrations.
  • Blood-CSF tight junctions are functionally mature early in development.

Conclusions:

  • The developmental blood-CSF barrier is functionally mature early, employing tight junctions.
  • Transcellular transport, not paracellular, is the primary route for molecules across the barrier.
  • Observed developmental changes in permeability and protein concentration are explained by cellular transfer and distribution volumes.