G. Allt et Jg. Lawrenson, The blood-nerve barrier: Enzymes, transporters and receptors - A comparison with the blood-brain barrier, BRAIN RES B, 52(1), 2000, pp. 1-12
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) has been much more extensively investigated t
han the blood-nerve barrier (BNB), Nevertheless it is clear that there are
both similarities and differences in the molecular and morphophysiological
characteristics of the two barrier systems. A number of enzymes, transporte
rs and receptors have been investigated at both the BNB and BBB, as well as
in the perineurium of peripheral nerves, which is also a metabolically act
ive diffusion barrier. While there have been few systematic comparisons of
the distribution of these molecules in both the BNB and BBB, it is apparent
from the data available, reviewed in this article, that their distribution
also supports the concept of the BNB and BBB having some features in commo
n but also showing distinct identities. These similarities and differences
cannot simply be accounted for by the presence of the inductive influences
of astrocytes at the BBB and absence at the BNB, Whether the Schwann cell a
lso has the capacity to induce some BNB properties remains to be determined
. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc.