Title:Emerging Roles of Microglia in Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity in Aging
and Neurodegeneration
Volume: 22
Issue: 7
Author(s): Simeng Zhang, Rui Meng, Muzhou Jiang*, Hong Qing*Junjun Ni*
Affiliation:
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Department of Biology, School of Life
Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Department of
Periodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110002, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Department of Biology, School of Life
Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, Department of Biology, School of Life
Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
Keywords:
Microglia, neuroinflammation, blood-brain barrier, neurovascular unit, aging, neurodegeneration.
Abstract: The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a highly selective interface between the blood and the
brain parenchyma. It plays an essential role in maintaining a specialized environment for central nervous
system function and homeostasis. The BBB disrupts with age, which contributes to the development
of many age-related disorders due to central and peripheral toxic factors or BBB dysfunction.
Microglia, the resident innate immune cells of the brain, have recently been explored for their ability
to directly and indirectly regulate the integrity of the BBB. This review will focus on the current understanding
of the molecular mechanisms utilized by microglia to regulate BBB integrity and how this
becomes disrupted in aging and age-associated diseases. We will also discuss the rationale for considering
microglia as a therapeutic target to prevent or slow down neurodegeneration.