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Comment
. 2022 May 18;110(10):1601-1603.
doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.04.011.

Matrix proteins plug a hole: How pericytes suppress blood brain barrier transcytosis

Troy N Trevino  1 , Sarah E Lutz  2
Affiliations
Comment

Matrix proteins plug a hole: How pericytes suppress blood brain barrier transcytosis

Troy N Trevino et al. Neuron. .

Abstract

How is the brain so efficient at excluding proteins, drugs, and immune cells from the blood? In this issue of Neuron, Ayloo et al. (2022) find that an extracellular matrix protein secreted by CNS pericytes shuts down endocytic transport in blood brain barrier endothelial cells.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of interests The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

None
Pericyte vitronectin induces blood-retina barrier properties.
A) During BRB maturation, pericyte-derived vitronectin in the abluminal basement membrane signals through BEC integrin α5β1 receptors to regulate transcytotic vesicle formation. B) In the absence of vitronectin, the BRB maintains embryonic-like high rates of transcytosis, causing vascular leakage. Tight junctions remain intact. C) We speculate that loss of pericyte vitronectin-integrin α5 signaling may cause transcellular leakage of toxic blood proteins and proinflammatory T cells in diseases associated with pericyte regression, including stroke and multiple sclerosis.
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