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Glycocalyx and its Functions

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The glycocalyx is a carbohydrate-rich, fuzzy-appearing layer on the outer surface of the cell membrane. It is highly hydrophilic, because of this it attracts large amounts of water to the cell's surface. This aids the cell's interaction with the watery environment and also helps it to obtain substances dissolved in the water. It is also important for cell identification, self/non-self determination, and embryonic development and is used in cell-to-cell attachments to form tissues.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 5, 2025

An In Vivo Blood-brain Barrier Permeability Assay in Mice Using Fluorescently Labeled Tracers

An In Vivo Blood-brain Barrier Permeability Assay in Mice Using Fluorescently Labeled Tracers

Published on: February 26, 2018

Surface charge, glycocalyx, and blood-brain barrier function.

Fruzsina R Walter^1,2, Ana R Santa-Maria^1,3, Mária Mészáros¹

¹Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary.

Tissue Barriers

|May 18, 2021

Summary

The brain

Keywords:

Blood-brain barrier drug delivery glycocalyx nanoparticles surface charge

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience and Cell Biology
Biophysics
Biochemistry

Background:

Brain microvessel endothelial cells possess a negative surface charge crucial for blood-brain barrier defense.
This charge originates from membrane lipids and the endothelial surface glycocalyx.
Recent research has elucidated the specific properties and functions of the brain endothelial glycocalyx.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the significance of negative surface charge in brain endothelial cells.
To explore the role of surface charge and glycocalyx in macromolecule/nanoparticle permeability and drug interactions.
To discuss pathological changes and protective strategies related to the brain endothelial glycocalyx.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on brain endothelial cell surface charge and glycocalyx.
Discussion of biophysical techniques for measuring surface charge.
Inclusion of imaging methods for glycocalyx visualization.

Main Results:

Negative surface charge is vital for regulating the permeability of the blood-brain barrier.
Alterations in surface charge and glycocalyx are implicated in brain microvasculature pathologies.
Biophysical and imaging techniques enable detailed study of surface charge and glycocalyx.

Conclusions:

The negative surface charge and glycocalyx of brain endothelial cells are critical for blood-brain barrier integrity and function.
Understanding these components is essential for developing targeted drug delivery and therapeutic strategies.
Further research into pathological changes and protective measures is warranted.