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Transport of Proteins Across the Blood-Brain Barrier via the Transferrin Receptor

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Frontiers in Cerebral Vascular Biology

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 331))

Abstract

Unlike most other organs in the body, the brain is separated from the blood by a protective cellular barrier known as the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The BBB, although essential in maintaining a defined biochemical environment within the brain, represents a formidable obstacle to the effective delivery of neuropharmaceutical agents from the bloodstream. The capillaries that supply blood to the tissues of the brain constitute this barrier (1,2). Brain capillary endothelial cells are joined together by tight intercellular junctions that form a continuous wall against the passive movement of substances from the blood to the brain. Also characteristic of these cells is a paucity of pinocytic vesicles, which limits the amount of non-selective fluid-phase transport across the capillary wall. Together, these features limit the penetration of blood-borne hydrophilic molecules into brain tissue.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Alkermes, Inc., 64 Sidney Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA

    Phillip M. Friden & Lee R. Walus

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  1. Phillip M. Friden
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  2. Lee R. Walus
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Minnesota, Duluth, Minnesota, USA

    Lester R. Drewes

  2. The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

    A. Lorris Betz

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© 1993 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Friden, P.M., Walus, L.R. (1993). Transport of Proteins Across the Blood-Brain Barrier via the Transferrin Receptor. In: Drewes, L.R., Betz, A.L. (eds) Frontiers in Cerebral Vascular Biology. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 331. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-2920-0_21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-2920-0_21

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-6267-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-2920-0

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