Endothelial Dab1 signaling orchestrates neuro-glia-vessel communication in the central nervous system

Developing the bloodbrain barrier During development, signals need to be dynamically integrated by endothelial cells, neurons, and glia to achieve functional neuro-glia-vascular units in the central nervous system. During cortical development, neuronal Dab1 and ApoER2 receptors respond to a guidance cue called reelin. Studying mice, Segarra et al. found that Dab1 and ApoER2 are also expressed in endothelial cells (see the Perspective by Thomas). The integration of reelin signaling in endothelial cells and neurons facilitates the communication between vessels, glia, and neurons that is necessary for the correct positioning of neurons during cortical development. This integration is also important for correct communication at the neurovascular unit required for blood-brain barrier integrity in the mature brain. Science , this issue p. eaao2861 ; see also p. 754