Viral disruption of the blood-brain barrier - PubMed (original) (raw)

Review

Viral disruption of the blood-brain barrier

Katherine R Spindler et al. Trends Microbiol. 2012 Jun.

Abstract

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) provides significant protection against microbial invasion of the brain. However, the BBB is not impenetrable, and mechanisms by which viruses breach it are becoming clearer. In vivo and in vitro model systems are enabling identification of host and viral factors contributing to breakdown of the unique BBB tight junctions. Key mechanisms of tight junction damage from inside and outside cells are disruption of the actin cytoskeleton and matrix metalloproteinase activity, respectively. Viral proteins acting in BBB disruption are described for HIV-1, currently the most studied encephalitic virus; other viruses are also discussed.

Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1

The neurovascular unit and junctions between endothelial cells. (a) cross-section of a brain microvessel, showing cells of the neurovascular unit. Neurons and their contacts with astrocytes are not shown. Cells in the lumen (bloodstream) include red blood cells, lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils (not shown). Note the two basement membranes; the space between them is known as the perivascular space. (b) Enlargement of an endothelial cell-cell junction. Major molecules of the tight junction and adherens junction are shown; no order of the tight junction proteins within the tight junction is implied by the figure. Abbreviations: JAMs, junctional adhesion molecules; ESAM, endothelial cell-selective adhesion molecule; CAR, Coxsackie and adenovirus receptor; ZO, zona occludens. The figure is based on figures in [7,95].

Similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Knipe DM, Howley PM, editors. Fields Virology. Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2007.
    1. Salinas S, et al. A hitchhiker’s guide to the nervous system: the complex journey of viruses and toxins. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2010;8:645–655. - PubMed
    1. Griffin DE. Viral encephalomyelitis. PLoS Pathog. 2011;7:e1002004. - PMC - PubMed
    1. McGavern DB, Kang SS. Illuminating viral infections in the nervous system. Nat Rev Immunol. 2011;11:318–329. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Abbott NJ, et al. Structure and function of the blood-brain barrier. Neurobiol Dis. 2010;37:13–25. - PubMed

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding

LinkOut - more resources