927-Human Blood-Brain Barrier Spatiotemporal Development

Paper Talk · May 8, 2026 · 15m

This research provides a comprehensive spatiotemporal transcriptomic atlas detailing the development of the human blood-brain barrier (BBB) from gestational weeks 6 to 21. By employing single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics, the authors identified that the human BBB begins to acquire its functional molecular signature at gestational week 8. The study highlights that neural progenitor cells and neurons trigger the expression of critical transporters in endothelial cells through CADHERIN-2 (CDH2) signaling. Furthermore, the researchers discovered that neural progenitor cells…