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Tight junction modulation at the blood-brain barrier: Current and future perspectives
Yosuke Hashimoto1, Matthew Campbell1
1Trinity College Dublin, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta. Biomembranes
|May 1, 2020
Summary
New drug delivery methods are exploring ways to bypass the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Recent advances in targeted ultrasound and pharmacological agents offer promising strategies for treating central nervous system diseases.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- The blood-brain barrier (BBB) protects the central nervous system but hinders drug delivery.
- Tight junction (TJ) proteins form the BBB, restricting molecular passage.
- Developing effective treatments for CNS diseases is challenged by the BBB.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in BBB modulation technologies.
- To explore site- and molecular size-selective BBB disruption methods.
- To discuss pharmacological inhibitors targeting TJ proteins for BBB modulation.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on BBB disruption techniques.
- Analysis of targeted ultrasound technologies for BBB modulation.
- Examination of pharmacological approaches targeting TJ proteins.
Main Results:
- Targeted ultrasound offers a promising method for BBB modulation.
- Pharmacological agents inhibiting TJ proteins show potential for BBB modulation.
- Site- and molecular size-selective BBB disruption technologies are advancing.
Conclusions:
- Recent technological and pharmacological advances are improving BBB drug delivery.
- Targeted ultrasound and TJ inhibitors represent key strategies for overcoming BBB limitations.
- These advancements hold significant potential for treating CNS diseases.
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