The blood-brain barrier is critical to protect the central nervous system from the entry of infectious agents; however, many organisms have developed strategies to overcome this barrier. Additionally, the inflammatory or altered immune states induced by systemic or local infections may degrade the barrier, resulting in secondary neurologic injury. On the other hand, an understanding of the molecular underpinnings of the barrier promises to advance the development of targeted therapies for central nervous system infections.
The molecular mechanisms by which the blood-brain barrier is maintained and how it can be breached remain poorly understood. Investigations into how infectious organisms penetrate or damage the barrier can both benefit from and contribute to the basic understanding of its formation and homeostasis. Cell culture models of the blood-brain barrier continue to contribute to the understanding of basic molecular mechanisms, however animal models of infectious diseases and functional studies in human patients will be critical to elucidate the effects of altered inflammatory and immune states.
In this Research Topic, we welcome articles focused on mechanisms by which infectious agents defeat the blood-brain barrier to directly infect the central nervous system or damage it, causing secondary injury through inflammatory or immune mechanisms, or alternatively, how therapeutic strategies can be developed to deliver drugs across the barrier to treat infections or to protect barrier integrity. Original research, reviews and mini-reviews, perspectives, and hypothesis and theory manuscripts are all welcomed.
The blood-brain barrier is critical to protect the central nervous system from the entry of infectious agents; however, many organisms have developed strategies to overcome this barrier. Additionally, the inflammatory or altered immune states induced by systemic or local infections may degrade the barrier, resulting in secondary neurologic injury. On the other hand, an understanding of the molecular underpinnings of the barrier promises to advance the development of targeted therapies for central nervous system infections.
The molecular mechanisms by which the blood-brain barrier is maintained and how it can be breached remain poorly understood. Investigations into how infectious organisms penetrate or damage the barrier can both benefit from and contribute to the basic understanding of its formation and homeostasis. Cell culture models of the blood-brain barrier continue to contribute to the understanding of basic molecular mechanisms, however animal models of infectious diseases and functional studies in human patients will be critical to elucidate the effects of altered inflammatory and immune states.
In this Research Topic, we welcome articles focused on mechanisms by which infectious agents defeat the blood-brain barrier to directly infect the central nervous system or damage it, causing secondary injury through inflammatory or immune mechanisms, or alternatively, how therapeutic strategies can be developed to deliver drugs across the barrier to treat infections or to protect barrier integrity. Original research, reviews and mini-reviews, perspectives, and hypothesis and theory manuscripts are all welcomed.
