Blood-brain barrier

Abstract

This chapter will describe the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a unique class of endothelium that separates the bloodstream from the neuronal milieu. The BBB has been studied quite extensively using classical pathology, physiology, cell biology, and biochemistry techniques. However, exciting opportunities afforded by genomics and proteomics technologies allow unparalleled access to the molecular constituents and mechanisms that endow the BBB with its functional characteristics. Combination of the various approaches mentioned above has led to the identification of functional and regulatory roles for the BBB in both health and central nervous system (CNS) disease.