Department of Neurology, Jungers Center for Neurosciences Research, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
Office of Academic Development, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA.
Methods Mol Biol. 2022;2492:3-24. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2289-6_1.
The brain is endowed with highly specialized vasculature that is both structurally and functionally unique compared to vasculature supplying peripheral organs. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is formed by endothelial cells of the cerebral vasculature and prevents extravasation of blood products into the brain to protect neural tissue and maintain a homeostatic environment. The BBB functions as part of the neurovascular unit (NVU), which is composed of neurons, astrocytes, and microglia in addition to the specialized endothelial cells, mural cells, and the basement membrane. Through coordinated intercellular signaling, these cells function as a dynamic unit to tightly regulate brain blood flow, vascular function, neuroimmune responses, and waste clearance. In this chapter, we review the functions of individual NVU components, describe neurovascular coupling as a classic example of NVU function, and discuss archetypal NVU pathophysiology during disease.
大脑拥有高度特化的血管系统，与供应外周器官的血管系统相比，其在结构和功能上均具有独特性。血脑屏障（BBB）由脑血管内皮细胞形成，可防止血液成分渗出到脑组织中，从而保护神经组织并维持内环境稳定。BBB 作为神经血管单元（NVU）的一部分发挥作用，NVU 还包括神经元、星形胶质细胞和小胶质细胞，以及特化的内皮细胞、壁细胞和基膜。通过协调的细胞间信号转导，这些细胞作为一个动态单元共同调节脑血流、血管功能、神经免疫反应和废物清除。在本章中，我们将回顾 NVU 各组成部分的功能，描述神经血管耦联作为 NVU 功能的一个经典范例，并讨论疾病状态下 NVU 的典型病理生理学。
