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Updated: Jan 24, 2026
09:23
Improved Method for the Establishment of an In Vitro Blood-Brain Barrier Model Based on Porcine Brain Endothelial Cells
Published on: September 24, 2017
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Development of the blood-brain barrier.
Benjamin D Gastfriend1, Richard Daneman1
1Departments of Neurosciences and Pharmacology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
Development (Cambridge, England)
|January 23, 2026
Summary
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) forms specialized CNS vasculature, regulating exchange and maintaining homeostasis. Its development involves complex cellular interactions and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is key to barriergenesis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Vascular Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is crucial for central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis.
- It comprises specialized brain vasculature with unique endothelial cell properties.
- BBB formation involves intricate interactions within the neurovascular unit.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on blood-brain barrier development.
- To elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving BBB formation.
- To discuss methods for studying BBB development and identify research gaps.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on BBB development.
- Analysis of cellular and molecular signaling pathways involved in barriergenesis.
- Discussion of established and novel techniques for BBB research.
Main Results:
- BBB development is orchestrated by the neurovascular unit, starting with CNS angiogenesis.
- The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is essential for the initial acquisition of BBB properties (barriergenesis).
- BBB maturation continues throughout vascular expansion and development.
Conclusions:
- Understanding BBB development is critical for CNS homeostasis and neurological disease research.
- The Wnt/β-catenin pathway is a central regulator of BBB formation.
- Further research is needed to address unanswered questions in BBB development and study methodologies.
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