Overview and introduction: The blood–brain barrier in health and disease

摘要: This article introduces the special issue on "Blood-Brain Barrier and Epilepsy." We review briefly current understanding of structure function blood-brain barrier (BBB), including its development normal physiology, ways in which it can be affected pathology. The BBB formed by endothelium cerebral blood vessels is one three main sites protecting central nervous system (CNS). not a rigid structure, but dynamic interface with range interrelated functions, resulting from extremely effective tight junctions, transendothelial transport systems, enzymes, regulation leukocyte permeation, thereby generates physical, transport, enzymatic, immune regulatory functions BBB. brain endothelial cells are important components "modular" neurovascular unit (NVU), several associated cell types extracellular matrix components. Modern methods have helped identifying proteins involved function, recent studies revealed stages, types, signaling pathways development. There growing list CNS pathologies showing dysfunction, strong evidence that this play major role certain disease etiologies. articles follow summarize more detail reports discussions international meeting "BBB Neurological Dysfunctions," took place recently at Ben-Gurion University Negev Desert Campus (Beer-Sheva, Israel), focusing link between experimental clinical studies, these lead to improved drug treatments.