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Astrocytes to the rescue! Glia limitans astrocytic endfeet control CNS inflammation
Francisco J. Quintana
Francisco J. Quintana
Published July 24, 2017
Citation Information: J Clin Invest. 2017;127(8):2897-2899. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI95769.
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Commentary

Astrocytes to the rescue! Glia limitans astrocytic endfeet control CNS inflammation

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Abstract

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the glia limitans serve to prevent the migration of cells and other large molecules from the blood into the CNS. Neuroinflammatory diseases are characterized by disruption of the BBB and increased leukocyte infiltration into the CNS. In this issue of the JCI, Horng and colleagues demonstrate that astrocytes of the glia limitans induce tight junction formation in response to inflammatory cues, thereby tightening the border to limit the number of activated T cells infiltrating the CNS. Moreover, preventing the formation of this inducible barrier in mice increased disease severity in models of neuroinflammation. Together, the results of this study indicate that the inducible barrier of the glia limitans should be further explored as a therapeutic target.

Authors

Francisco J. Quintana

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Figure 1

The BBB and the glia limitans together limit the migration of inflammatory leukocytes from the blood into the CNS.

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The BBB and the glia limitans together limit the migration of inflammato...
The BBB is formed by endothelial cells connected by tight junctions and surrounded by a basement membrane with pericytes interspersed. The glia limitans serves as a second barrier that is formed by astrocytic endfeet processes. In this issue, Horng et al. reveal that tight junction formation in the glia limitans is induced in response to inflammation and serves as a secondary barrier to limit infiltration of activated T cells into the CNS.

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ISSN: 0021-9738 (print), 1558-8238 (online)

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