Background Immunothrombosis is the process by which the coagulation cascade interacts with the innate immune system to control infection. However, the formation of clots within the brain vasculature c...

Neurovascular unit formation is mediated by Ago2-dependent repression of PTEN in excitatory neurons.

A subset of astrocytes expressing Dmp1 helps maintain blood-brain barrier by transferring mitochondria to endothelial cells.

A lipid-nanoparticle-based formulation incorporating engineered lipids containing a blood–brain-barrier-crossing moiety effectively delivers mRNA to neurons and astrocytes following systemic administr...

Microplastics get in the blood and are eaten by immune cells, leading to cell obstruction and cerebral thrombosis.

The NIA hosted the Blood-Brain Barrier Transport in Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease Workshop on April 24-25, 2024, discussing BBB transport mechanisms, drug delivery strategies, and research gaps.

Scientific Reports - Activation of Wnt/β-catenin in neural progenitor cells regulates blood–brain barrier development and promotes neuroinflammation

Systemic delivery of large nucleic acids, such as mRNA, to the brain remains challenging in part due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the tendency of delivery vehicles to accumulate in the liver. Here, we design a peptide-functionalized lipid nanoparticle (LNP) platform for targeted mRNA delivery to the brain. We utilize click chemistry to functionalize LNPs with peptides that target receptors overexpressed on brain endothelial cells and neurons, namely the RVG29, T7, AP2, and mApoE peptides. We evaluate the effect of LNP targeting on brain endothelial and neuronal cell transfection in vitro, investigating factors such as serum protein adsorption, intracellular trafficking, endothelial transcytosis, and exosome secretion. Finally, we show that LNP peptide functionalization enhances mRNA transfection in the mouse brain and reduces hepatic delivery after systemic administration. Specifically, RVG29 LNPs improved neuronal transfection in vivo, establishing its potential as a nonviral platform for delivering mRNA to the brain.

The neurovascular unit (NVU) is present in both brain and retinal barriers and consists of endothelial cells, basement membrane, pericytes, glial cells (astrocytes and microglia) and neurons. Barrier...

Researchers have identified a mechanism that causes neurological problems in mice infected with the virus behind COVID-19, and also found a treatment that helped prevent these changes.

The mechanisms of neurovascular adaptations underlying stress resilience remain unclear. Here the authors show that the astrocytic endocannabinoid system modulates the blood–brain barrier changes duri...