Affiliation:
1. Department of Biomedical Engineering University of Virginia Charlottesville Virginia USA
2. Department of Neuroscience University of Virginia Center for Brain Immunology and Glia School of Medicine Charlottesville Virginia USA
Abstract
ABSTRACTThe brain microvasculature, which delivers oxygen and nutrients and forms a critical barrier protecting the central nervous system via capillaries, is deleteriously affected by both Alzheimer's disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). T2D patients have an increased risk of developing AD, suggesting potentially related microvascular pathological mechanisms. Pericytes are an ideal cell type to study for functional links between AD and T2D. These specialized capillary‐enwrapping cells regulate capillary density, lumen diameter, and blood flow. Pericytes also maintain endothelial tight junctions to ensure blood–brain barrier integrity, modulation of immune cell extravasation, and clearance of toxins. Changes in these phenomena have been observed in both AD and T2D, implicating “pericyte pathology” as a common feature of AD and T2D. This review examines the mechanisms of AD and T2D from the perspective of the brain microvasculature, highlighting how pericyte pathology contributes to both diseases. Our review identifies voids in understanding how AD and T2D negatively impact the brain microvasculature and suggests future studies to examine the intersections of these diseases.
Reference143 articles.
1. BrightFocus Foundation “Get the Facts on Alzheimer's Disease ” accessed December 13 2023 https://www.brightfocus.org/get‐facts‐alzheimers‐disease.
2. National Institute on Aging “Alzheimer's Disease Fact Sheet”2023 accessed June 4 2024 https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers‐and‐dementia/alzheimers‐disease‐fact‐sheet.
3. Pathophysiology of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus