[Progress in the study of the blood-brain barrier]

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) precisely controls the material exchange between the blood and brain tissue, and plays a critical role in the maintenance of brain microenvironment homeostasis. Brain microvascular endothelial cells connect tightly with each other and intertwine with surrounding pericytes and astrocytes to form the BBB. These cells regulate the development and function of the BBB through expressing tight and adherens junction proteins, transporters, and relevant signal molecules. Neurons and microglia can also regulate the function of BBB in physiological and pathological conditions. Recent studies indicate that the occurrence and progress of various neurological diseases are accompanied with structural and functional impairment of the BBB. Therefore, elucidation of the mechanisms underlying BBB development and function will further benefit our understanding of neurovascular interaction and provide an important theoretical basis for the treatment of neurological diseases. In this review, we briefly summarize the progress of BBB research.