Blood Retinal Barrier - Histology

What is the Blood Retinal Barrier?

The Blood Retinal Barrier (BRB) is a physiological partition that prevents the entry of potentially harmful substances from the blood into the retina. It is critical for maintaining the specialized environment required for proper visual function and protecting the delicate retinal tissues.

Components of the Blood Retinal Barrier

The BRB consists of two main components:

Inner Blood Retinal Barrier (iBRB)
Outer Blood Retinal Barrier (oBRB)

Inner Blood Retinal Barrier

The iBRB is formed by the endothelial cells of the retinal capillaries. These cells are connected by tight junctions, which restrict the passage of large molecules and cells from the blood into the retina. The pericytes and astrocytes also play crucial roles in maintaining the integrity of the iBRB.

Outer Blood Retinal Barrier

The oBRB is primarily constituted by the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, which are connected by tight junctions as well. The RPE cells regulate the transport of ions, nutrients, and metabolic waste products between the retina and the choroid, maintaining the homeostasis of the retinal environment.

Functions of the Blood Retinal Barrier

The BRB serves several critical functions:

Maintains the specialized environment of the retina by regulating the exchange of substances.
Protects the retina from blood-borne pathogens and toxins.
Ensures proper nutrient and oxygen supply to the retinal cells.
Prevents inflammation by restricting immune cell infiltration.

Pathophysiology and Clinical Significance

Disruption of the BRB can lead to severe retinal diseases. Conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and retinal vein occlusion are often associated with a compromised BRB. Understanding the mechanisms underlying BRB disruption is crucial for developing therapeutic interventions.

Research and Future Directions

Recent advancements in imaging techniques and molecular biology have provided deeper insights into BRB dynamics. Research on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors and other pharmacological agents offers promising avenues for the treatment of BRB-related disorders. Future studies aim to explore novel therapeutic strategies to enhance BRB repair and regeneration.

Relevant Publications

Melatonin: Unveiling the Functions and Implications in Ocular Health.

Issue Release: 2024

Role of inflammation in a rat model of radiation retinopathy.

Issue Release: 2024

Clinical observations and mechanistic insights of traditional Chinese medicine in the management of diabetic retinopathy.

Issue Release: 2024

Senescence-Associated Microvascular Endothelial Dysfunction: A Focus on the Blood-Brain and Blood-Retinal Barriers.

Issue Release: 2024

Pathological high intraocular pressure induces glial cell reactive proliferation contributing to neuroinflammation of the blood-retinal barrier via the NOX2/ET-1 axis-controlled ERK1/2 pathway.

Issue Release: 2024

The role of pericyte in ocular vascular diseases.

Issue Release: 2024

Efficient retinal ganglion cells transduction by retro-orbital venous sinus injection of AAV-PHP.eB in mature mice.

Issue Release: 2024

Lemon Peel Water Extract: A Novel Material for Retinal Health, Protecting Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells against Dynamin-Related Protein 1-Mediated Mitochondrial Fission by Blocking ROS-Stimulated Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase/Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Pathway.

Issue Release: 2024

An In Vitro Bilayer Model of Human Primary Retinal Pigment Epithelial and Choroid Endothelial Cells for Permeability Studies.

Issue Release: 2024

Glaucoma: from pathogenic mechanisms to retinal glial cell response to damage.

Issue Release: 2024

Response of Human Retinal Microvascular Endothelial Cells to Influenza A (H1N1) Infection and the Underlying Molecular Mechanism.

Issue Release: 2024

Benefits and Caveats in the Use of Retinal Pigment Epithelium-Specific Cre Mice.

Issue Release: 2024

Porous Se@SiO nanospheres alleviate diabetic retinopathy by inhibiting excess lipid peroxidation and inflammation.

Issue Release: 2024

Modeling early pathophysiological phenotypes of diabetic retinopathy in a human inner blood-retinal barrier-on-a-chip.

Issue Release: 2024

Quercetin Regulates Microglia M1/M2 Polarization and Alleviates Retinal Inflammation via ERK/STAT3 Pathway.

Issue Release: 2024

HIV-1 gp120 amplifies astrocyte elevated gene-1 activity to compromise the integrity of the outer blood-retinal barrier.

Issue Release: 2024

ITF2357 regulates NF-κB signaling pathway to protect barrier integrity in retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Issue Release: 2024

Diabetes and high-glucose could upregulate the expression of receptor for activated C kinase 1 in retina.

Issue Release: 2024

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Regulate Microglial Polarization via Inhibition of the HMGB1/TLR4 Signaling Pathway in Diabetic Retinopathy.

Issue Release: 2024

Central serous chorioretinopathy: An evidence-based treatment guideline.

Issue Release: 2024

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