The Brain Barriers: Functions and Their Implications

Dear Colleagues,

Brain function is ensured by the presence of important interfaces, the brain barriers, that separate the central nervous system from the blood. There are three main barriers: the blood–brain barrier (BBB), the blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB), and the arachnoid barrier (AB). The BBB presents an extensive surface area and is mainly formed of brain capillary endothelial cells, but also includes astrocytes, pericytes, and neurons. The BCSFB is composed of choroid plexus epithelial cells that, besides barrier function, are also responsible for most of the CSF production and secretion into brain ventricles, the biosynthesis of proteins and hormones, and chemical surveillance. The AB, composed of epithelial cells of meninges, is another interface between the blood and the CSF, and participates in CSF formation. At all three barriers the paracellular pathway is highly restricted by the tight junctions that connect the brain endothelial cells, choroid plexus epithelial cells, or epithelial cells of meninges. In addition, they present specific transporters and metabolic enzymes that ensure the composition of brain fluids and central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis. Therefore, the dysfunction of these structures has been related to CNS disorders. On the other hand, brain barriers, particularly the BBB and BCSFB, have been major obstacles to brain drug delivery. For this reason, the development of drugs that can cross these structures and reach their targets in the brain remains a challenge.

This Special Issue aims to highlight the pathophysiological mechanisms of brain barriers, contributing to a better understanding of brain barriers’ function and how their impairment can be related to CNS disorders, including neurodegenerative disorders, tumors, and cancer. Additionally, it is also of the utmost importance to investigate new drug targets at brain barriers. Thus, we invite experts working in the field of brain barriers to contribute with their recent research.

Dr. Ana Catarina Duarte
Dr. Telma Quintela
Guest Editors

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• brain barriers
• brain homeostasis
• neurodegeneration
• neuroinflammation
• brain drug delivery