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. 2024 Feb 9;56(2):301–310. doi: 10.1038/s12276-024-01176-4

Fig. 2. Brain endothelial cell-derived ASM mediates blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption in the aged brain.

Fig. 2

In the aged brain, ASM activity is strongly increased in the endothelial cells that make up the BBB. Brain endothelial ASM induces PP1-mediated ezrin/radixin/moesin dephosphorylation via autocrine and/or paracrine effects and further causes cytoskeletal disassembly and excessive caveolae internalization. Increased caveolae-mediated transcytosis by ASM results in BBB hyperpermeability and blood-derived molecule extravasation into the brain parenchyma, ultimately leading to neuronal cell death.