University Medical Center Utrecht, Medical Microbiology, Heidelberglaan 100, G04.614, 3584 GX Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Future Microbiol. 2012 Mar;7(3):383-94. doi: 10.2217/fmb.12.1.
Bacterial meningitis is among the top ten causes of infectious disease-related deaths worldwide, with up to half of the survivors left with permanent neurological sequelae. The blood-brain barrier (BBB), composed mainly of specialized brain microvascular endothelial cells, maintains biochemical homeostasis in the CNS by regulating the passage of nutrients, molecules and cells from the blood to the brain. Despite its highly restrictive nature, certain bacterial pathogens are able to gain entry into the CNS resulting in serious disease. In recent years, important advances have been made in understanding the molecular and cellular events that are involved in the development of bacterial meningitis. In this review, we summarize the progress made in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of bacterial BBB-crossing, highlighting common themes of host-pathogen interaction, and the potential role of the BBB in innate defense during infection.
细菌性脑膜炎是全球十大传染病相关死亡原因之一，多达一半的幸存者留有永久性神经后遗症。血脑屏障（BBB）主要由专门的脑微血管内皮细胞组成，通过调节营养物质、分子和细胞从血液进入大脑的过程，维持中枢神经系统的生化平衡。尽管 BBB 具有高度的限制性，但某些细菌病原体能够进入中枢神经系统，导致严重疾病。近年来，人们在理解参与细菌性脑膜炎发生的分子和细胞事件方面取得了重要进展。在这篇综述中，我们总结了阐明细菌穿透 BBB 的分子机制方面的进展，强调了宿主-病原体相互作用的共同主题，以及 BBB 在感染期间固有防御中的潜在作用。
