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The human brain intracerebral microvascular system: development and structure.

Miguel Marín-Padilla¹

¹Departments of Pathology and Pediatrics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth Hanover, NH, USA.

Frontiers in Neuroanatomy

|September 21, 2012

Summary

Pial capillaries form the brain's extrinsic microvascular compartment by perforating the glial limiting membrane, creating Virchow-Robin Compartments (V-RCs). Intrinsic capillaries then develop within V-RCs, forming the blood-brain barrier and supporting neuronal needs.

Keywords:

EGLM endothelial cell filopodium human brain intracerebral microvascular system meningeal inner pial lamella

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Vascular Biology
Developmental Biology

Background:

The cerebral cortex microvasculature is organized into extrinsic and intrinsic compartments.
Pial capillaries are unique in their ability to penetrate the external glial limiting membrane (EGLM).
The Virchow-Robin Compartment (V-RC) is a key structure formed during this penetration.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the process of pial capillary perforation of the EGLM.
To describe the formation and structure of the Virchow-Robin Compartment (V-RC).
To explain the development of the cerebral cortex's intrinsic microvascular compartment.

Main Methods:

Detailed morphological analysis of capillary development and penetration.
Observation of the interaction between pial capillaries and the EGLM.
Characterization of the V-RC structure and its role in vascular development.

Main Results:

Pial capillaries perforate the EGLM in three stages, forming V-RCs that house the extrinsic microvasculature.
V-RCs maintain an open connection to the meninges, facilitating fluid and cell exchange.
Intrinsic capillaries arise from perforating vessels within V-RCs, forming the blood-brain barrier and adapting to neuronal demands.

Conclusions:

Pial capillary perforation and V-RC formation are critical for establishing the extrinsic cerebral microvasculature.
The V-RC serves as a prelymphatic drainage system for the brain.
The development of intrinsic capillaries within V-RCs is essential for the blood-brain barrier and neuronal support, with ongoing research needed for unresolved aspects.