Calcium signaling at the blood-brain barrier in stroke

Abstract

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a critical player in the regulation of the brain's microenvironment. In a number of pathological disease states, including Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke, this barrier is disrupted, allowing free diffusion of molecules and water into the brain parenchyma. In stroke, the BBB loosens, and ions freely diffuse across the walls of the brain capillaries into the central nervous system. This is followed by passive movement of water, leading to edema formation which contributes to neuronal damage. Disruption of the BBB has been linked to a number of mechanisms, including increases in intracellular calcium and activation of calcium-sensitive signaling cascades. This review outlines some potential routes for hypoxia-stimulated calcium influx and explores some of the calcium signaling cascades and subsequent molecular events that have been linked to BBB disruption.