A to Z of MS
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A to Z of MS Blood-brain barrier
The blood-brain barrier is a tightly packed layer of cells (called endothelial cells) that line the blood vessels in the brain and spinal cord. This barrier prevents large molecules, immune cells, and disease-causing organisms (eg viruses) from passing from the blood stream into the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).
In multiple sclerosis, immune cells are able to enter the central nervous system, implying that the blood-brain barrier is damaged or compromised in some way. These immune cells attack the myelin in the brain and spinal cord, causing the lesions which lead to MS symptoms.
One of the disease modifying drugs, natalizumab (Tysabri), is thought to act by preventing the immune cells from passing into the central nervous system via the blood-brain barrier.
References
Larochelle C, et al.
How do immune cells overcome the blood-brain barrier in multiple sclerosis?
FEBS Letters 2011;585(23):3770-3780.
abstract
Holman DW, et al.
The blood-brain barrier, chemokines and multiple sclerosis.
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 2011;1812(2):220-230.
abstract
Alvarez JI, et al.
Disruption of central nervous system barriers in multiple sclerosis.
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 2011;1812(2):252-264.
abstract