Organs with specialized barrier systems include:
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Posted On: 08/22/2025 10:33:57 PM
Organs with specialized barrier systems include:
Brain:
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is one of the most well-known examples. This barrier tightly regulates the movement of ions, molecules, and cells between the bloodstream and the central nervous system to protect it from toxins and pathogens. Conditions that can cause blockage include:
Inflammation from disease, which can increase the barrier's permeability.
Infections from viruses like HIV, which can disrupt the barrier to infect the brain.
Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis, where barrier dysfunction is part of the pathology.
Intestines/Gut:
The gut barrier is a crucial defense against food-borne pathogens and toxins. It functions as a selective filter to absorb nutrients while keeping harmful substances out.
Disruption can lead to a "leaky gut" and is associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Testes:
The blood-testis barrier (BTB) separates developing sperm from the bloodstream and the immune system. Pathogens like the Zika virus and HIV can evade this barrier to create viral reservoirs in the testes, which can be difficult to treat with medication.
Lungs:
The lungs act as a barrier against air-borne pollutants and pathogens. Immune imbalances or disruptions to the barrier can lead to respiratory diseases like asthma and pulmonary fibrosis.
Eyes:
The blood-retinal barrier is essential for maintaining a stable environment for the retina, a crucial part of the eye responsible for vision.
The most common type of eye cancer is melanoma.
Placenta:
The blood-placenta barrier protects a fetus from potentially harmful substances and pathogens in the mother's bloodstream.
___
LL / ICI combo ---
Brain:
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is one of the most well-known examples. This barrier tightly regulates the movement of ions, molecules, and cells between the bloodstream and the central nervous system to protect it from toxins and pathogens. Conditions that can cause blockage include:
Inflammation from disease, which can increase the barrier's permeability.
Infections from viruses like HIV, which can disrupt the barrier to infect the brain.
Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis, where barrier dysfunction is part of the pathology.
Intestines/Gut:
The gut barrier is a crucial defense against food-borne pathogens and toxins. It functions as a selective filter to absorb nutrients while keeping harmful substances out.
Disruption can lead to a "leaky gut" and is associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Testes:
The blood-testis barrier (BTB) separates developing sperm from the bloodstream and the immune system. Pathogens like the Zika virus and HIV can evade this barrier to create viral reservoirs in the testes, which can be difficult to treat with medication.
Lungs:
The lungs act as a barrier against air-borne pollutants and pathogens. Immune imbalances or disruptions to the barrier can lead to respiratory diseases like asthma and pulmonary fibrosis.
Eyes:
The blood-retinal barrier is essential for maintaining a stable environment for the retina, a crucial part of the eye responsible for vision.
The most common type of eye cancer is melanoma.
Placenta:
The blood-placenta barrier protects a fetus from potentially harmful substances and pathogens in the mother's bloodstream.
___
LL / ICI combo ---
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