Brain Barriers and brain fluids research in 2020 and the fluids and barriers of the CNS thematic series on advances in in vitro modeling of the blood–brain barrier and neurovascular unit

Abstract

This editorial discusses advances in brain barrier and brain fluid research in 2020. Topics include: the cerebral endothelium and the neurovascular unit; the choroid plexus; the meninges; cerebrospinal fluid and the glymphatic system; disease states impacting the brain barriers and brain fluids; drug delivery to the brain. This editorial also highlights the recently completed Fluids Barriers CNS thematic series entitled, ‘Advances in in vitro modeling of the blood–brain barrier and neurovascular unit’. Such in vitro modeling is progressing rapidly.

In Vitro Models of the Blood–Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier and Their Applications in the Development and Research of (Neuro)Pharmaceuticals

“…Supportive evidence proposes the involvement of the choroid plexus in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration [265][266][267]. Examining the anti-inflammatory potential of a novel or already approved repurposed therapeutics continues to be a subject for major research [268].…”

Contrast‐Enhanced Fluid‐Attenuated Inversion Recovery in Neuroimaging: A Narrative Review on Clinical Applications and Technical Advances

“…These comprise the brain barrier, blood‐ocular barrier (BOB), and blood‐labyrinth barrier (BLB) 15,16 . Brain barriers can be subdivided into the blood–brain barrier (BBB), blood‐leptomeningeal barrier (BLMB), and blood‐CSF barrier (BCSFB) 17–19 . A contrast enhancement pattern on FLAIR is closely related to the disruption of CNS barriers and may be classified into six subtypes: 1) leptomeningeal enhancement; 2) pachymeningeal enhancement; 3) brain parenchymal enhancement; 4) ocular enhancement; 5) perilymph enhancement; and 6) meningeal lymphatic vessel enhancement (Fig.…”

Vascularizing the brain in vitro

“…To replicate the CNS in vitro is an interdisciplinary field that has drawn much attention during the last decade ( Bhalerao et al., 2020 ; Hopkins et al., 2015 ; Keep et al., 2021 ; Lee and Leong, 2020 ; Neumaier et al., 2021 ; Teixeira et al., 2020 ). The neuronal tissue, the vasculature, and the interstitial system are the three main components that make up the brain.…”