Insights on supporting the aging brain microvascular endothelium

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Molecular Biology
• Pathology

Background:

• Blood brain barrier (BBB) hyperpermeability is implicated in various age-related affective and neurodegenerative disorders.
• Conditions associated with BBB dysfunction include depression, mania, anxiety, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential of activating the unfolded protein response (UPR) as a therapeutic strategy for BBB hyperpermeability.
• To investigate the role of UPR in tissue repair mechanisms relevant to neurological disorders.

Main Methods:

• Investigated the activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) in affected tissues.
• Examined the effects of growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) antagonists and heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) inhibitors, known to induce UPR.

Main Results:

• The study suggests that activating the unfolded protein response (UPR) is a promising therapeutic avenue.
• UPR activation has been linked to initiating tissue repairing processes.

Conclusions:

• Targeting UPR activation presents a potential therapeutic approach for managing BBB hyperpermeability.
• This mechanism may be crucial for the repair of tissues affected by age-related neurological conditions.