Role of inflammasome in blood-brain barrier injury: a review

Abstract:

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a natural structural and functional barrier, which can inhibit the entry of pathogens and control the entry of molecules into the brain parenchyma. An intact BBB is essential to maintain the homeostasis of the central nervous system. The function of this barrier is determined by its special multicellular structure. Each cell type has an indispensable contribution to the BBB integrity. Inflammasome known as a complex protein is a key component of the innate immune system and mediates the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, IL-18, and IL-1α, which plays a critical role in the excessive inflammatory response. The up-regulated expression of proinflammatory cytokines results in the destruction of BBB. As a result, the pathogen breaks through BBB and enters the central nervous system, which finally causes brain diseases. In this paper, we reviewed infectious diseases and non-infectious diseases associated with the inflammasome-mediated injury of BBB.