神经血管单元结构和功能及其在脑缺血损伤发生机制中的作用

Structure and function of neurovascular unit and its role in pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia injuries

近年来,从神经血管单元(NVU)这一整体性结构及其功能出发开展脑缺血发病机制的研究越来越受到人们的重视,NVU已经成为脑科学和脑重大疾病研究领域的热点之一。NVU主要组成细胞有神经元、星形胶质细胞、小胶质细胞和脑微血管内皮细胞等,它们在结构上密切相关,在功能上共同维持脑稳态,在脑功能和脑缺血损伤中发挥重要作用。NVU损伤导致微血管及血脑屏障完整性受损、神经元细胞死亡、神经胶质反应、免疫细胞浸润,甚至组织损伤和脑水肿。本文以期阐明NVU的结构和功能及其在脑缺血损伤发生机制中的作用,为开展基于NVU结构和功能的脑缺血疾病防治药物研究提供新思路和新策略。

In recent years,increasing attention has been paid to the study on the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia in terms of the overall structure and function of neurovascular unit(NVU),which has become one of the hot spots in the field of brain sciences and major brain diseases.This paper is intended to outline the roles of the four main NVU cells(neurons,astrocytes,microglia and cerebral microvascular endothelial cells)in brain function and pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia,which are closely related in structure,work together to maintain cerebral homeostasis in function,and play an important role in brain function and cerebral ischemic injuries.NVU injury leads to microvascular and blood brain barrier integrity impairment,neuronal cell death,glial reaction and immune cell infiltration,and even tissue injury and brain edema.This paper also aims to elucidate the roles of NVU structure and function in the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia,and offer new ideas and strategies for the research related to drugs for prevention and treatment of cerebral ischemia based on NVU structure and function.