• BMB Reports
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• 제55권5호
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• pp.213-219
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• 2022

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is an interface between cerebral blood and the brain parenchyma. As a gate keeper, BBB regulates passage of nutrients and exogeneous compounds. Owing to this highly selective barrier, many drugs targeting brain diseases are not likely to pass through the BBB. Thus, a large amount of time and cost have been paid for the development of BBB targeted therapeutics. However, many drugs validated in in vitro models and animal models have failed in clinical trials primarily due to the lack of an appropriate BBB model. Human BBB has a unique cellular architecture. Different physiologies between human and animal BBB hinder the prediction of drug responses. Therefore, a more physiologically relevant alternative BBB model needs to be developed. In this review, we summarize major features of human BBB and current BBB models and describe organ-on-chip models for BBB modeling and their applications in neurological complications.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제66권2호
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• pp.172-182
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• 2023

Objective : The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is an obstacle for molecules to pass through from blood to the brain. Focused ultrasound is a new method which temporarily opens the BBB, which makes pharmaceutical delivery or removal of neurodegenerative proteins possible. This study was demonstrated to review our BBB opening procedure with magnetic resonance guided images and find specific patterns in the BBB opening. Methods : In this study, we reviewed the procedures and results of two clinical studies on BBB opening using focused ultrasound regarding its safety and clinical efficacy. Magnetic resonance images were also reviewed to discover any specific findings. Results : Two clinical trials showed clinical benefits. All clinical trials demonstrated safe BBB opening, with no specific side effects. Magnetic resonance imaging showed temporary T1 contrast enhancement in the sonication area, verifying the BBB opening. Several low-signal intensity spots were observed in the T2 susceptibility-weighted angiography images, which were also reversible and temporary. Although these spots can be considered as microbleeding, evidence suggests these are not ordinary microbleeding but an indicator for adequate BBB opening. Conclusion : Magnetic resonance images proved safe and efficient BBB opening in humans, using focused ultrasound.

• 대한영상의학회지
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• 제81권3호
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• pp.488-500
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• 2020

최근의 연구들은 알츠하이머병의 병리가 단순히 아밀로이드와 타우단백질의 축적만이 아닌, 혈액뇌장벽(blood brain barrier; 이하 BBB) 이상과 같은 미세혈관병리와 밀접한 관련이 있음을 밝히고 있다. BBB 투과도 변화는 아밀로이드 및 타우 단백질 축적뿐 아니라 신경염증과 신경 퇴행성변화를 일으킴으로써 결국 임상 치매를 야기한다. 최근에는 알츠하이머 및 관련 질환의 BBB 이상을 보기 위한 MR 영상의 이용이 증가하고 있다. 이 종설에서는 알츠하이머병에서 BBB와 관련된 병리를 소개하고, BBB 투과도 변화에 대한 MR 영상 연구들을 소개할 것이다. 또한 BBB 투과도 측정을 위한 MR 방법론 개요와 문제점들을 제시할 것이다.

• BMB Reports
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• 제52권2호
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• pp.111-112
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• 2019

Although many studies have reported that the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) represents one of the major pathological changes in aging, the mechanism underlying this process remains relatively unexplored. In this study, we described that acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) derived from endothelial cells plays a critical role in BBB disruption in aging. ASM levels were elevated in the brain endothelium and plasma of aged humans and mice, resulting in BBB leakage through an increase in caveolae-mediated transcytosis. Moreover, ASM caused damage to the caveolae-cytoskeleton via protein phosphatase 1-mediated ezrin/radixin/moesin dephosphorylation in primary mouse brain endothelial cells. Mice overexpressing brain endothelial cell-specific ASM exhibited acceleration of BBB impairment and neuronal dysfunction. However, genetic inhibition and endothelial specific knock-down of ASM in mice improved BBB disruption and neurocognitive impairment during aging. Results of this study revealed a novel role of ASM in the regulation of BBB integrity and neuronal function in aging, thus highlighting the potential of ASM as a new therapeutic target for anti-aging.

• 한국음향학회지
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• 제41권5호
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• pp.564-569
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• 2022

인체의 다른 장기들과 달리, 뇌는 혈뇌장벽(Blood-Brain Barrier, BBB)라는 보호 장치가 존재하여 뇌혈관내 물질들이 뇌조직으로 투과되는 것을 제한하는 역할을 한다. 이러한 BBB는 알츠하이머, 뇌종양 등 다양한 뇌질환에 직접적으로 전달이 필요한 약물의 투과까지 제한하기 때문에 치료 효능 검증 및 임상 적용이 어려운 것으로 보고되고 있다. 이러한 문제를 극복하기 위해 비침습적 특성의 집속 초음파(Focused Ultrasound, FUS)를 뇌의 국소 부위에 조사할 경우 마이크로버블의 음향공동화 현상으로 인해 BBB가 일시적으로 개방될 수 있는 기술이 개발되었으며, 해당 기술을 안전성 및 유효성 검증, 약물 전달 효율을 증대시킬 수 있는 다양한 연구가 전 세계적으로 수행되고 있다. 따라서, 본 논문에서는 알츠하이머, 뇌종양 등 뇌질환 치료를 위해 활발히 연구가 진행중인 집속초음파 기반 BBB 개방 기술에 대한 연구 동향을 분석하였다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.45-49
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to clarify the efflux transport system of choline from brain to blood across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in rats using the brain efflux index (BEI) method. $[^3H]$Choline was micro-injected into parietal cortex area 2 (Par2) of the rat brain, and was eliminated from the brain with elimination halflife of 45 min. The BBB efflux clearance of $[^3H]$choline was about 124 mL/min/g brain, which was determined from combination of an elimination rate constant $(1.54X10^{-2}min^{-1})$ and the distribution volume in the brain (8.05 mL/g brain). The efflux of $[^3H]$choline was inhibited by unlabeled choline in a dose-dependent manner and was significantly inhibited by cationic substrates, such as hemicholinium-3 and tetraethylammonium (TEA). These results suggest that the BBB may act as an efflux pump for choline to reduce the excessive choline concentration in the brain interstitial fluid.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.265-275
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• 2006

In the developing brain, capillaries are differentiated and matured into the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which is composed of cerebral endothelial cells, astrocyte end-feet, and pericytes. Since the BBB regulates the homeostasis of central nervous system (CNS), the maintenance of the BBB is important for CNS function. The disruption of the BBB may result in many brain disorders including brain tumors. However, the molecular mechanism of BBB formation and maintenance is poorly understood. Here, we summarize recent advances in the role of oxygen tension and growth factors on BBB development and maintenance, and in BBB dysfunction related with brain tumors.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.179-183
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• 2008

In the present study, we examined the effects of several therapeutics of Alzheimer's disease, such as donepezil hydrochloride, tacrine and $\alpha$-phenyl-n-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN) on choline efflux from brain to circulating blood. The brain-to-blood efflux of [$^3H$]choline in rats was significantly inhibited by tacrine and PBN. Also the [$^3H$]choline efflux was reduced by tacrine and donepezil hydrochloride in the TR-BBB cells, in vitro the blood-brain barrier (BBB) model. These results suggest that these drugs may influence choline efflux transport from brain to blood and regulate the choline level in brain resulting in the increase of acetylcholine synthesis.

• 대한약학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한약학회 2002년도 Proceedings of the Convention of the Pharmaceutical Society of Korea Vol.2
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• pp.90-91
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• 2002

The brain is unique as target for drug delivery because it is an organ with the greatest blood supply, which receives about 20% of the cardiac output in humans and is highly restricted by a tight vascular barrier, the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Since the BBB forms the interface between blood and brain, the biology of the BBB plays a role in multiple disciplines other than pharmacology, physiology, pathology and neurosciences. (omitted)

• 대한약학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한약학회 2002년도 Proceedings of the Convention of the Pharmaceutical Society of Korea Vol.2
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• pp.94-95
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• 2002

Drug targeting to the central nervous system (CNS) is the limiting factor in CNS drug development because most of drug do not cross the brain capillary endothelial wall, which forms the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in vivo. One strategy for drug targeting to the brain is to use endogenous BBB transport systems. (omitted)