Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026
06:19
Reconstruction of the Blood-Brain Barrier In Vitro to Model and Therapeutically Target Neurological Disease
Published on: October 20, 2023
[Multi-disciplinary research approaches on the brain barrier transport system, a dynamic interface]
Masanori Tachikawa1, Yasuo Uchida, Tetsuya Terasaki
1Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.
Brain and Nerve = Shinkei Kenkyu No Shinpo
|February 13, 2013
Summary
Brain barriers like the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB) utilize transporters to manage compound entry and exit. Understanding these transport systems is crucial for effective central nervous system (CNS) drug delivery.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
Context:
- The blood-brain barrier (BBB) and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB) are critical interfaces regulating the central nervous system (CNS) environment.
- These barriers possess complex carrier-mediated transport systems essential for brain function and protection.
- Dysfunction in these transport systems is implicated in various CNS disorders.
Purpose:
- To review current knowledge and methodologies concerning transport systems at the human brain barriers.
- To highlight the role of these transporters in the disposition of endogenous and xenobiotic compounds.
- To emphasize the significance of brain barrier transport for CNS drug delivery and therapeutic strategies.
Summary:
- Carrier-mediated transport systems at the BBB and BCSFB facilitate or restrict the passage of molecules, impacting CNS drug delivery.
- Influx transporters like LAT1/SLC7A5 aid CNS entry, while efflux transporters (e.g., P-glycoprotein, BCRP, MRP4) limit it.
- Quantitative targeted absolute proteomics (QTAP) enables precise measurement of transporter expression, aiding in the reconstruction of in vivo transport functions.
Impact:
- Provides a foundation for understanding the pathophysiological roles of brain barriers.
- Informs the development of rational drug delivery and targeting strategies for CNS therapeutics.
- Enhances knowledge of how the brain manages endogenous neurotoxic compounds and xenobiotics.
Related Concept Videos
00:49The Blood-brain Barrier
Overview
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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...
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...
01:23Factors 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...
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...
01:44The Significance of Membrane Transport
The transport of solutes across the cell membrane is essential for metabolic processes, like maintaining cell size and volume, generating the action potential, exchanging nutrients and gases, etc. Membrane transport can be either passive or active. It can be simple diffusion, facilitated, or mediated transport aided by transport proteins such as transporters and channels.
Transporters facilitate either an active or passive movement of solutes. They can allow a single-molecule transport down its...
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01:24Cellular Membranes and Drug Transport
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Phospholipids arrange themselves into a bilayer, with hydrophilic heads oriented outward and hydrophobic tails facing inward.
Phospholipids arrange themselves into a bilayer, with hydrophilic heads oriented outward and hydrophobic tails facing inward.