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Related Concept Videos

The Blood-brain Barrier00:49

The Blood-brain Barrier

Overview
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...
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.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

A High Output Method to Isolate Cerebral Pericytes from Mouse
06:49

A High Output Method to Isolate Cerebral Pericytes from Mouse

Published on: January 14, 2020

Pericytes regulate the blood-brain barrier.

Annika Armulik1, Guillem Genové, Maarja Mäe

  • 1Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Division of Vascular Biology, Karolinska Institute, Scheeles väg 2, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden. annika.armulik@ki.se

Nature
|October 15, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Pericytes play a critical role in maintaining the blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity. Their deficiency increases BBB permeability, affecting water and tracer passage across the central nervous system (CNS).

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Isolation of Cerebral Capillaries from Fresh Human Brain Tissue

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Last Updated: Jun 8, 2026

A High Output Method to Isolate Cerebral Pericytes from Mouse
06:49

A High Output Method to Isolate Cerebral Pericytes from Mouse

Published on: January 14, 2020

Reconstruction of the Blood-Brain Barrier In Vitro to Model and Therapeutically Target Neurological Disease
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Isolation of Cerebral Capillaries from Fresh Human Brain Tissue
06:35

Isolation of Cerebral Capillaries from Fresh Human Brain Tissue

Published on: September 12, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • The blood-brain barrier (BBB) protects the central nervous system (CNS) via physical barriers, enzymes, and transporters.
  • While endothelial tight junctions are key, the roles of astrocytes and pericytes in BBB function are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the in vivo role of pericytes in regulating blood-brain barrier permeability and function.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which pericytes influence BBB properties.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized adult viable pericyte-deficient mouse mutants.
  • Assessed BBB permeability to water and various molecular weight tracers.
  • Investigated the effect of imatinib on BBB permeability.
  • Analyzed pericyte-mediated regulation of endothelial gene expression and astrocyte polarization.

Main Results:

  • Pericyte deficiency significantly increased BBB permeability to water and tracers.
  • Increased permeability was attributed to enhanced endothelial transcytosis, reversible with imatinib.
  • Pericytes regulate BBB-specific endothelial gene expression and induce astrocyte end-feet polarization.

Conclusions:

  • Pericytes are essential for maintaining blood-brain barrier integrity in vivo.
  • Pericytes integrate endothelial and astrocyte functions at the neurovascular unit.
  • Pericytes play a novel and critical role in regulating CNS barrier function.