Neuroinvasion and Inflammation in Viral Central Nervous System Infections

Figure 1

Barriers of the brain. (a) The BBB found between the lumen of the cerebral blood vessels and the brain parenchyma is composed of capillary endothelial cells, astrocytes, and pericytes and obtains its characteristic physical barrier function via linking the endothelial cells through luminal tight junctions. (b) The BCSFB located between the CSF and the fenestrated blood vessels of the choroid plexus. This selective barrier contains polar choroid plexus epithelial cells joined to one another through tight junctions found on the apical side.