Neurovascular Interactions in the Developing Brain

Question 1

The main role of brain blood vessels:

Answer 1

To supply O2 and nutrients to neurons
To actively orchestrate brain development
To comprise a communication interface between the brain and the periphery

Question 2

Brain barriers

Answer 2

Meninges ( the outermost barrier protecting the brain), BBB (the most important!) & blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (in choroid plexus)

Question 3

the Blood-Brain-Barrier

Answer 3

→ tight junctions (no paracellular transport) - NB endothelial cells and pericytes ( in close contact with endothelium NB for functional BBB)
→ non-fenestrated
→ very low rate of transcytosis

Question 4

Angioneurins

Answer 4

Shared molecular guidance cues that guide both endothelial cells and neurons

Question 5

Examples of angioneurins

Answer 5

• VEGF
• Netrins
• Ephrins

Question 6

Neural tube tissue

Answer 6

dorsal ectoderm

Question 7

What do NPCs secrete

Answer 7

VEGF-A
- recruit ECs to surface of neural tube

Question 8

Signalling from Neural Tube

Answer 8

• Wnt
• VEGF-A

Question 9

Vascularization of the Cerebral Cortex

Answer 9

• vasc. guided migration of GABAergic interneurons
• GABA binds to receptors in migrating INs

Question 10

Embryonic BBB

Answer 10

• no astrocytes
• pericytes present
• BBB functional

Question 11

Neonatal BBB

Answer 11

• astrocytes present
• missing elements but BBB still functional

Question 12

Adult BBB

Answer 12

Fully developed and functional

Question 13

What cell type(s) play an essential role in the formation of the neurovascular unit?

Answer 13

Endothelial cells, pericytes and astrocytes