Review
Neurosciences
Louis-Philippe Bernier, Clement Brunner, Azzurra Cottarelli, Matilde Balbi
Summary: The neurovascular unit (NVU) in the brain exhibits spatial heterogeneity, with variations in cellular composition and functional specialization across different brain regions. This diversity is crucial for brain function.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Natalie Hudson, Matthew Campbell
Summary: The homeostatic balance of the brain and retina is maintained by the blood-brain and inner blood-retinal barrier, which are specialized barriers formed by interconnected endothelial cells with tight junctions. Disruption of the tight junction complex can lead to detrimental effects on brain and retinal pathology by allowing harmful substances to enter neural tissues.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Hui Zhang, Qi Xie, Juan Hu
Summary: Cerebral ischemia is a major disease that can lead to death or disability among patients. Studies have shown that exercise can produce protective effects in cerebral ischemia by protecting blood-brain barrier integrity, promoting neovascularization, reducing neuronal apoptosis, and ultimately improving neurological function.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Diogo C. Fernandes, Rui L. Reis, J. Miguel Oliveira
Summary: Clinical trials for treating brain-affecting diseases are hindered by the inability of therapeutic agents to cross the blood-brain barrier and the challenge of translating effects from animal models to patients. Recent developments in models of the blood-brain barrier, neural, and neurovascular systems have potential to revolutionize the pharmaceutical industry.
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Xiaomin Xu, Liuqi Zhu, Ke Xue, Jiayi Liu, Jian Wang, Guohua Wang, Jin-hua Gu, Yunfeng Zhang, Xia Li
Summary: Pre-existing hyperglycemia exacerbates blood-brain barrier breakdown and increases the risk of hemorrhagic transformation after acute ischemic stroke. This study provides evidence of enhanced endothelial transcytosis in HG-induced BBB hyperpermeability, suggesting a potential therapeutic target to preserve BBB integrity.
CNS NEUROSCIENCE & THERAPEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Alexander Bell, Ashalyn P. Watt, Ingrid Dudink, Yen Pham, Amy E. Sutherland, Beth J. Allison, Courtney A. McDonald, Margie Castillo-Melendez, Graham Jenkin, Atul Malhotra, Suzanne L. Miller, Tamara Yawno
Summary: This study found that administration of endothelial colony forming cells (ECFC) from human umbilical cord blood improved the development of the neurovascular unit (NVU) in both normally developing and growth-restricted fetal sheep. It increased vascular density, astrocyte coverage, and VEGF expression in the fetal brain.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Manuel R. Pouso, Elisa Cairrao
Summary: Retinoic acid, derived from vitamin A, maintains transcriptional activity and plays a crucial role in the development and maturation of the cerebral vascular system, as well as the integrity of the neurovascular unit. Its deficiency leads to neurodegenerative diseases and affects the prognosis after ischemic stroke.
BRAIN RESEARCH BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Raphael Bernard-Valnet, Sylvain Perriot, Mathieu Canales, Beatrice Pizzarotti, Leonardo Caranzano, Mayte Castro-Jimenez, Jean-Benoit Epiney, Sergiu Vijiala, Paolo Salvioni-Chiabotti, Angelica Anichini, Alexander Salerno, Katia Jaton, Julien Vaucher, Matthieu Perreau, Gilbert Greub, Giuseppe Pantaleo, Renaud A. Du Pasquier
Summary: The study suggests that neurologic symptoms in COVID-19 patients may be related to intrathecal production of CXCL8, rather than active replication of the virus or massive inflammation in the CSF.
NEUROLOGY-NEUROIMMUNOLOGY & NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2021)
Article
Hematology
Felecia M. Marottoli, Hui Zhang, Eden Flores-Barrera, Emilce Artur de la Villarmois, Frederick C. Damen, Anabel M. M. Miguelez Fernandez, Hannah V. Blesson, Rohan Chaudhary, Anthony L. Nguyen, Amanda E. Nwokeji, Ruju Talati, Ashwin S. John, Kushi Madadakere, Sarah E. Lutz, Kejia Cai, Kuei Y. Tseng, Leon M. Tai
Summary: The loss of endothelial cell APOE3 expression leads to neurovascular dysfunction and abnormalities in neural function. This finding supports the importance of endothelial cell APOE3 in neurovascular regulation, neural circuit function, and behavior.
ARTERIOSCLEROSIS THROMBOSIS AND VASCULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Yoshimichi Sato, Jaime Falcone-Juengert, Teiji Tominaga, Hua Su, Jialing Liu
Summary: The neurovascular unit (NVU) depicts the relationship between brain cells and the vascular structure, regulating cerebral blood flow and maintaining brain homeostasis. Dysregulation of the NVU is a key pathological feature underlying neurological disorders. Understanding NVU dysfunction and remodeling is crucial for targeted therapy design and relevant research progress.
Review
Immunology
Brandon C. Smith, Rachel A. Tinkey, Benjamin C. Shaw, Jessica L. Williams
Summary: The blood-brain barrier is a barrier with selective permeability that separates the periphery from the central nervous system. The neurovascular unit, consisting of multiple cells, regulates the permeability of the blood-brain barrier. Understanding the contributions of each member of the neurovascular unit can lead to novel methods for delivering neurotherapies to the central nervous system.
IMMUNOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Samantha Schaeffer, Costantino Iadecola
Summary: Schaeffer and Iadecola reviewed the heterogeneity of the neurovasculature and discussed the limitations of the neurovascular unit concept and the molecular diversity of cerebrovascular cells. They proposed the concept of a 'neurovascular complex' composed of segmentally diverse functional modules that implement coordinated vascular responses to central and peripheral signals.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Eduardo Benarroch
Summary: Pericytes play a critical role in the neurovascular unit (NVU) by interacting with endothelial cells, basal lamina, and glial cells, contributing to the maintenance of blood-brain barrier stability, regulation of capillary blood flow, angiogenesis, and immune responses. They also possess stem cell properties and can differentiate into smooth muscle, glial cells, or neurons. Dysfunction of pericytes is associated with various neurological disorders, including vascular disorders, Alzheimer's disease, traumatic injury, and multiple sclerosis, highlighting their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for neuroprotection. Extensive reviews have been conducted on the functions and involvement of pericytes in neurological disorders.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luis O. Soto-Rojas, Mar Pacheco-Herrero, Paola A. Martinez-Gomez, B. Berenice Campa-Cordoba, Ricardo Apatiga-Perez, Marcos M. Villegas-Rojas, Charles R. Harrington, Fidel de la Cruz, Linda Garces-Ramirez, Jose Luna-Munoz
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide, characterized by neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid beta accumulation. Vascular risk factors may lead to dysregulation of the neurovascular unit, contributing to A beta accumulation and neurodegeneration. Therapeutic approaches targeting abnormal A beta levels have had limited success in improving cognition.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luis O. Soto-Rojas, B. Berenice Campa-Cordoba, Charles R. Harrington, Andres Salas-Casas, Mario Hernandes-Alejandro, Ignacio Villanueva-Fierro, Marely Bravo-Munoz, Linda Garces-Ramirez, Fidel De la Cruz-Lopez, Miguel angel Ontiveros-Torres, Goar Gevorkian, Mar Pacheco-Herrero, Jose Luna-Munoz
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by Aβ vascular accumulation, leading to neuronal dysfunction and accelerated neurodegeneration. The study found insoluble Aβ vascular deposits in the brains of AD patients, associated with a decrease in cellular components of the NVU and BBB disruption. This approach could help identify new therapeutic targets against key molecules in the NVU to prevent the accumulation of vascular fibrillar Aβ in AD.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lilian Kisiswa, Clara Erice, Laurent Ferron, Sean Wyatt, Catarina Osorio, Annette C. Dolphin, Alun M. Davies
Article
Cell Biology
Jiyuan Ke, Kaleeckal G. Harikumar, Clara Erice, Chen Chen, Xin Gu, Liren Wang, Naomi Parker, Zhihong Cheng, Wenqing Xu, Bart O. Williams, Karsten Melcher, Laurence J. Miller, H. Eric Xu
GENES & DEVELOPMENT
(2013)
Article
Neurosciences
Lilian Kisiswa, Catarina Osorio, Clara Erice, Thomas Vizard, Sean Wyatt, Alun M. Davies
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2013)
Article
Developmental Biology
Clara Erice, O. Yipkin Calhan, Lilian Kisiswa, Sean Wyatt, Alun M. Davies
DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY
(2019)
Review
Parasitology
Michelle Ngai, Andrea M. Weckman, Clara Erice, Chloe R. McDonald, Lindsay S. Cahill, John G. Sled, Kevin C. Kain
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Rosauro Varo, Clara Erice, Sydney Johnson, Quique Bassat, Kevin C. Kain
Article
Allergy
Mathias Van Singer, Thomas Brahier, Michelle Ngai, Julie Wright, Andrea M. Weckman, Clara Erice, Jean-Yves Meuwly, Olivier Hugli, Kevin C. Kain, Noemie Boillat-Blanco
Summary: This study found that specific biomarkers in the concentrations at clinical presentation in the emergency department of COVID-19 patients had good accuracy in predicting 30-day intubation/mortality and oxygen requirement, serving as potential early triage tools for identifying patients with adverse outcomes.
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pediatrics
Nuria Balanza, Clara Erice, Michelle Ngai, Rosauro Varo, Kevin C. Kain, Quique Bassat
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2020)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Chloe R. McDonald, Aleksandra Leligdowicz, Andrea L. Conroy, Andrea M. Weckman, Melissa Richard-Greenblatt, Michelle Ngai, Clara Erice, Kathleen Zhong, Sophie Namasopo, Robert O. Opoka, Michael T. Hawkes, Kevin C. Kain
Summary: This study aimed to assess the ability of circulating host markers of immune and endothelial activation to identify children at risk of death from pneumonia. The results showed that sTREM-1 levels measured at hospital presentation were the best indicator for predicting 48-hour mortality in children with pneumonia.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Camilo A. Ruiz-Bedoya, Filipa Mota, Elizabeth W. Tucker, Farina J. Mahmud, Maria Reyes-Mantilla, Clara Erice, Melissa Bahr, Kelly Flavahan, Patricia de Jesus, John Kim, Catherine A. Foss, Charles A. Peloquin, Dima A. Hammoud, Alvaro A. Ordonez, Carlos A. Pardo, Sanjay K. Jain
Summary: High-dose rifampin improves bactericidal activity in TB meningitis without increasing intracerebral inflammation. Blood-brain barrier disruption plays a crucial role in determining rifampin exposure in the brain.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Clara Erice, Kevin C. Kain