Blood Brain Barrier Transport Cells is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
This page provides comprehensive information about the cell type. See the content below for detailed information.
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) contains specialized transport systems that regulate the passage of nutrients, drugs, and waste products between the blood and brain. Dysfunction of these transporters is implicated in neurodegenerative diseases.
| Nutrient |
Transporter |
Direction |
| Glucose |
GLUT1 (SLC2A1) |
Blood→Brain |
| Amino acids |
LAT1 (SLC7A5) |
Bidirectional |
| Nucleosides |
CNT2 (SLC28A2) |
Blood→Brain |
| Monocarboxylic acids |
MCT1 (SLC16A1) |
Bidirectional |
ABC Transporters (ATP-binding cassette):
- P-glycoprotein (P-gp/MDR1) - Major efflux
- BCRP - Breast cancer resistance protein
- MRP1-5 - Multidrug resistance proteins
Function: Pump drugs/toxins back to blood
- Transferrin receptor (TfR1) - Iron uptake
- Insulin receptor - Insulin transport
- Leptin receptor - Leptin transport
- ApoE receptors - Lipid transport
Transport Changes:
- GLUT1↓ - Reduced glucose uptake
- P-gp dysfunction - Aβ clearance impaired
- LRP1↓ - Aβ transport reduced
- RAGE↑ - Aβ influx enhanced
- P-gp - Reduced function in SN
- BBB penetration - Drug delivery challenge
- Efflux alterations - Toxin accumulation
- Dopamine transporters - Complex interactions
- BBB breakdown - Early event
- SOD1 effects - Endothelial dysfunction
- Drug delivery - Major challenge
- Immune cell entry - Enhanced
- P-gp inhibitors - Failed clinically
- Nanoparticle carriers - Trojan horse
- Focused ultrasound - Transient opening
- Intranasal route - Bypass BBB
- GLUT1 upregulation - SGLT2 inhibitors
- P-gp modulators - Second generation
- Receptor targeting - Trojan horse antibodies
- CSF/serum ratios - Drug penetration
- Imaging - PET ligands for P-gp
- Expression studies - Postmortem tissue
- In vitro models - iPSC-endothelial
The study of Blood Brain Barrier Transport Cells has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.
Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.
- Abbott NJ, et al. (2010). Structure and function of the BBB. Neurobiology of Disease.
- Zlokovic BV (2011). Neurovascular pathways. Nature Reviews Neuroscience.
- Patching SG (2017). Glucose transporters at the BBB. Molecular Neurobiology.