The roles of occludin in changes of blood-barain penneability

As an important transmembrane protein in brain microvascular endothelial cells tight junction, occludin plays important roles in regulating and maintaining blood-brain barrier permeability. Its abnormal expression can increase blood-brain barrier permeability. In order to provide some theoretical supports for the roles of studying occludin intensively in the mechanisms of blood-brain barrier permeability-related diseases and targets for pharmacological intervention, this article reviews the roles of occludin in the molecular composition and functional maintenance of blood-brain barrier tight junction, as well as the changes of cerebral microvascular permeability during hypoxia. Key words: Blood-brain barrier;  Tight junctions;  Membrane proteins;  Brain edema;  Hypoxia, brain