Peptide mediators of the brain endothelium

Abstract

Cerebral endothelial cells are the major cellular component of the blood-brain barrier, which separates the brain microenvironment from the circulating blood and is responsible for the maintenance of the ionic and metabolic homeostasis of the brain parenchyma. Cerebral endothelial cells are a rich source of peptide mediators which act as autocrine or paracrine factors and influence the resistance vessels in the cerebral circulation, blood-brain barrier transport features and the behavior of the cellular elements of the blood. Targeting the production of these peptide mediators or their receptors provides a useful therapeutic approach during injuries or inflammatory processes in the brain and the cerebral vasculature. In this review we summarize current knowledge of peptide mediators produced by cerebral endothelial cells, such as adrenomedullin, angiotensin, endothelin and several others as well as their role in the regulation of blood-brain barrier functions and cerebral vascular control. © 2007 Springer-Verlag US.