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Brain Barriers and their Microenvironment: Emerging Models and Techniques

Edited by: Dr Elizabeth de Lange, Prof Britta Engelhardt, Dr Danica Stanimirovic

Collection published: 10 January 2013

Last updated: 22 February 2013


Studies of the molecular nature and physiology of brain barriers have been long constrained by a scarcity of appropriate models and methodological approaches. At the same time the importance of brain barriers in all aspects of brain function, pathology and treatment of diseases with targets in the CNS, is increasingly acknowledged. New concepts, approaches, methods and models have started to emerge, promising transformative future leaps in understanding and addressing brain barriers, associated diseases, and treatment considerations. This thematic issue on Brain Barriers and their Microenvironment: Emerging Models and Techniques presented by Fluids and Barriers of the CNS offers in-depth overviews of currently available state-of-the art experimental procedures and approaches to study brain barriers in context and in concert with their micro- and macro-environment created by both the CNS and the periphery. The issue covers a range of experimental protocols from molecular interrogation of subcellular barrier compartments to in vivo imaging techniques for dynamic and quantitative assessments of barrier functions. Publications within this series will provide both critical overviews and technical advice on techniques and protocols applicable to both outstanding and emerging questions relating to the biology and physiology of brain barriers.


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The mastermind approach to CNS drug therapy: translational prediction of human brain distribution, target site kinetics, and therapeutic effects

Elizabeth CM de Lange Fluids and Barriers of the CNS 2013, 10:12 (22 February 2013)

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Quantitative imaging assessment of blood-brain barrier permeability in humans

Yoash Chassidim, Ronel Veksler, Svetlana Lublinsky, Gaby S Pell, Alon Friedman, Ilan Shelef Fluids and Barriers of the CNS 2013, 10:9 (7 February 2013)

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Organotypic brain slices: a model to study the neurovascular unit micro-environment in epilepsies

Mélanie Morin-Brureau, Frédéric De Bock, Mireille Lerner-Natoli Fluids and Barriers of the CNS 2013, 10:11 (7 February 2013)

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Studies on the human choroid plexus in vitro

Zoran B Redzic Fluids and Barriers of the CNS 2013, 10:10 (7 February 2013)

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Live cell imaging techniques to study T cell trafficking across the blood-brain barrier in vitro and in vivo

Caroline Coisne, Ruth Lyck, Britta Engelhardt Fluids and Barriers of the CNS 2013, 10:7 (21 January 2013)

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Study protocol   Open Access

The brain slice method for studying drug distribution in the CNS

Irena Loryan, Markus Fridén, Margareta Hammarlund-Udenaes Fluids and Barriers of the CNS 2013, 10:6 (21 January 2013)

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Impedance-based cell monitoring: barrier properties and beyond

Kathrin Benson, Sandra Cramer, Hans-Joachim Galla Fluids and Barriers of the CNS 2013, 10:5 (10 January 2013)

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Method for isolation and molecular characterization of extracellular microvesicles released from brain endothelial cells

Arsalan S Haqqani, Christie E Delaney, Tammy-Lynn Tremblay, Caroline Sodja, Jagdeep K Sandhu, Danica B Stanimirovic Fluids and Barriers of the CNS 2013, 10:4 (10 January 2013)

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Genetic mouse models to study blood–brain barrier development and function

Fabien Sohet, Richard Daneman Fluids and Barriers of the CNS 2013, 10:3 (10 January 2013)

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Modeling the blood–brain barrier using stem cell sources

Ethan S Lippmann, Abraham Al-Ahmad, Sean P Palecek, Eric V Shusta Fluids and Barriers of the CNS 2013, 10:2 (10 January 2013)

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Study protocol   Open Access

Culture models to study leukocyte trafficking across the choroid plexus

Tobias Tenenbaum, Ulrike Steinmann, Corinna Friedrich, Jürgen Berger, Christian Schwerk, Horst Schroten Fluids and Barriers of the CNS 2013, 10:1 (10 January 2013)

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