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. 2021 Jul 8;13:689098. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.689098

FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 2

Interaction between the GS and the BBB. The GS is anatomically and functionally interconnected with the BBB. There is some overlap in anatomical structures between the BBB and the GS. At the arterial level (left inset), endothelial cells form the inner layer of the vascular wall. The basement membrane separates endothelium from SMCs. The basement membrane and SMCs are enveloped by the pia. The PVS is between the pia and the glia limitans formed by astrocytic end-feet. At the capillary level (right inset), pericytes and endothelial cells share a basement membrane. The PVS is between the basement membrane and astrocytic end-feet. The BBB regulates the exchange of molecules between the blood and the brain tissue via multiple transport systems. The GS regulates the exchange of fluid and solutes between the CSF and the ISF. GS, glymphatic system; BBB, blood–brain barrier; PVS, perivascular space; SMCs, smooth muscle cells.