Epithelial properties of brain capillary endothelium

Abstract

The specialized endothelial cells (ECs) in brain capillaries provide a blood-brain barrier to some solutes while facilitating transcapillary exchange of other solutes. In addition, brain capillaries may contribute to the secretion of spinal fluid, a process that is typically mediated by epithelial cells. This proposal is supported by the many epithelial properties of brain capillary ECs including the presence of 1) continuous tight junctions, 2) low transcellular permeability, 3) transcellular concentration gradients, 4) a transcellular potential difference, 5) a high transcellular resistance, and 6) an asymmetrical distribution of transport systems between the luminal and antiluminal plasma membranes. Thus, the brain capillary contains ECs that are structurally and perhaps functionally related to an epithelial cell. These unique features of brain ECs undoubtedly play an important role in regulating the formation and composition of the brain's interstitial fluid.