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.