Alterations in cerebral endothelial cell function in ischemia.

As summarized in Fig. 2, nearly all aspects of brain microvascular endothelial cell function may be affected by ischemia. These alterations not only interfere with BBB functions which are critical for protection of the brain, but they may also lead to the production of substances that are directly toxic to the brain. Thus, the cerebrovascular endothelial cell appears to be both a target and participant in the processes that produce damage in ischemic brain.