Fig. 1
From: Perivascular macrophages in high-fat diet-induced hypothalamic inflammation
PVMs distribution in the hypothalamic vascular network. In the median eminence, PVMs are widely distributed wrapping endothelial cells from the fenestrated capillaries. Throughout the hypothalamic parenchyma, they belong to the neurovascular unit of the BBB. BBB integrity and function depends (1) on the presence of tight junctions between the cerebral endothelial cells, which form a barrier, selectively excluding blood-borne substances from entering the brain parenchyma, and (2) of PVMs wrapping the endothelial cells in the perivascular space, which are essential for immune surveillance. BBB architecture also comprehends astrocyte end-feet enclosing the capillary, and pericytes embedded in the capillary basement membrane