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13 Development of the blood brain barrier: The saga of the astrocyte
Author(s) -
Stewartv P.A.,
Barrett J.,
Rogers K.A.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
international journal of developmental neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.761
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1873-474X
pISSN - 0736-5748
DOI - 10.1016/0736-5748(96)80208-5
Subject(s) - citation , astrocyte , library science , psychology , neuroscience , computer science , central nervous system
Astrocytes. whose end feet ensheathe neural capdiaries. are widely believed to be responsible for regulatmg the expression of blood-brain barrier features in bram endothelial cells. There is no question that astrocyies play such a role in vitro, however their role in vivo has been much more difficult to evaluate Astrocyles or astrocyte-like cells are present wherever barrier features are expressed, however they are also present in areas where the BBB is absent, therefore they may be necessary. hut not s&icient for harrier formation. Many adult barrier features are lirst detected in the fetus or natborn when astrocytic endfeet are ensheathing the vessels, however, recently some harrier features have been identified very early in development, before astrocytes or their precursors can be recognkd. Furthermore neurons are as effective as tirocytes in inducing BBB features in vitro, suggesting that barrier in&on in the embryo may be a property of all neuroepithelial derivatives Evidence from CNS tumors and grafting