Senescence and associated blood-brain barrier alterations in vitro

Progressive deterioration of the central nervous system (CNS) is commonly associated with aging. An important component of the neurovasculature is the blood-brain barrier (BBB), majorly made up of endothelial cells joined together by intercellular junctions. The relationship between senescence and changes in the BBB has not yet been thoroughly explored. Moreover, the lack of in vitro models for the study of the mechanisms involved in those changes impede further and more in-depth investigations in the field. For this reason, we herein present an in vitro model of the senescent BBB and an initial attempt to identify senescence-associated alterations within.

Automated summary

The relationship between aging and changes in the blood-brain barrier (BBB) has not been thoroughly explored, and the lack of in vitro models for studying these changes hinders further research in the field.