The Role of VE-cadherin in Blood-brain Barrier Integrity Under Central Nervous System Pathological Conditions

Title:The Role of VE-cadherin in Blood-brain Barrier Integrity Under Central Nervous System Pathological Conditions

Volume: 16 Issue: 9

Author(s): Wenlu Li, Zhigang Chen, Ian Chin, Zhong Chen*Haibin Dai*

Affiliation:

• Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang,China

• Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, Zhejiang,China

Keywords: Blood-brain barrier, endothelial cells, VE-cadherin, neuroinflammation, central nervous system, adherens junctions.

Abstract: The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a layer between the blood circulation and neural tissue. It plays a pivotal role in maintaining the vulnerable extracellular microenvironment in the neuronal parenchyma. Neuroinflammatory events can result in BBB dysregulation by disturbing adherens junctions (AJs) and tight junctions (TJs). VE-cadherin, as one of the most important components of the vascular system, is specifically responsible for the assembly of AJs and BBB architecture. Here, we present a review, which highlights recently available insights into the relationship between the neuroinflammation and BBB dysregulation. We then explore the specific interaction between VE-cadherin and BBB. Finally, we discuss the changes of VE-cadherin with different neurological diseases from both experimental and clinical studies. An understanding of VE-cadherin in BBB regulation may indicate that VE-cadherin can partially be a biomarker of neuroinflammation disease and lead to novel approaches for abating BBB dysregulation under pathological conditions and the opening of the BBB following central nervous system (CNS) drug delivery.

Cite this article as:

Li Wenlu , Chen Zhigang , Chin Ian , Chen Zhong *, Dai Haibin *, The Role of VE-cadherin in Blood-brain Barrier Integrity Under Central Nervous System Pathological Conditions, Current Neuropharmacology 2018; 16 (9) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570159X16666180222164809