In focus in HCB

Abstract

Blood-brain barrier computational pathologyIn the first of the review articles commemorating the 60th anniversary of Histochemistry and Cell Biology, Shityakov and Förster (2018) present a timely update on in silico modeling of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in a variety of pathological circumstances. After initially describing some computational models employed to investigate BBB pathology in general, they then proceed to describe in individual sections specific computer models effective for the analysis of BBB issues, progressing from the molecular, to the cellular, tissue, and organ levels. Moreover, they provide a very informative table presenting a summary of the computational models currently in use at all levels of resolution relating to BBB pathology. The described models are based on mathematical principals and algorithms, in conjunction with multi-dimensional experimental data sets. Though much molecular information is currently available concerning proteins expressed at the BBB, much remains to be learned concerning their alterations in pathological conditions, such as traumatic brain injury. The authors finish with a thoughtful synopsis on their perspectives for future areas and methods of investigation in this critical area of CNS pathology.