Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2015, Vol. 10 ›› Issue (11): 1882-1891.doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.170324

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Targeting brain microvascular endothelial cells: a therapeutic approach to neuroprotection against stroke

Qi-jin Yu1, *, Hong Tao1, Xin Wang2, Ming-chang Li3, *   

  1. 1 Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
    2 Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
    3 Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
  • Received:2015-07-08 Online:2015-12-07 Published:2015-12-07
  • Contact: Qi-jin Yu, M.D., Ph.D. or Ming-chang Li, M.D., Ph.D., yqj2566@sina.com or whulmc@126.com.
  • Supported by:

    This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81171112, 81371272 to MCL.

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Abstract:

Brain microvascular endothelial cells form the interface between nervous tissue and circulating blood, and regulate central nervous system homeostasis. Brain microvascular endothelial cells differ from peripheral endothelial cells with regards expression of specific ion transporters and receptors, and contain fewer fenestrations and pinocytotic vesicles. Brain microvascular endothelial cells also synthesize several factors that influence blood vessel function. This review describes the morphological characteristics and functions of brain microvascular endothelial cells, and summarizes current knowledge regarding changes in brain microvascular endothelial cells during stroke progression and therapies. Future studies should focus on identifying mechanisms underlying such changes and developing possible neuroprotective therapeutic interventions.

Key words: nerve regeneration, blood-brain barrier, brain microvascular endothelial cells, cerebral infarction, subarachnoid hemorrhage, gap junction, endothelin, thromboxane A2, neural regeneration