biostudies-literatureJeong HWUniversity of Münster and the German Research FoundationCluster of Excellence 'Cells in Motion'Max-Planck-Gesellschafte57520https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9566870biostudies-literatureUnknown11The blood-brain barrier (BBB) limits the entry of leukocytes and potentially harmful substances from the circulation into the central nervous system (CNS). While BBB defects are a hallmark of many neurological disorders, the cellular heterogeneity at the neurovascular interface, and the mechanisms governing neuroinflammation are not fully understood.Through single-cell RNA sequencing of non-neuronal cell populations of the murine cerebral cortex during development, adulthood, ageing, and neuroinflammation, we identify reactive endothelial venules, a compartment of specialized postcapillary endothelial cells that are characterized by consistent expression of cell adhesion molecules, preferential leukocyte transmigration, association with perivascular macrophage populations, and endothelial eLifeSingle-cell transcriptomics reveals functionally specialized vascular endothelium in brain.PMC9566870CRC1366A01SO285/11-1CRC1009A02EXC1003Dieguez-Hurtado RJeong HWPark HArf HSorokin LAdams RHKruse KSong JfalseSingle-cell transcriptomics reveals functionally specialized vascular endothelium in brain.The blood-brain barrier (BBB) limits the entry of leukocytes and potentially harmful substances from the circulation into the central nervous system (CNS). While BBB defects are a hallmark of many neurological disorders, the cellular heterogeneity at the neurovascular interface, and the mechanisms governing neuroinflammation are not fully understood.Through single-cell RNA sequencing of non-neuronal cell populations of the murine cerebral cortex during development, adulthood, ageing, and neuroinflammation, we identify reactive endothelial venules, a compartment of specialized postcapillary endothelial cells that are characterized by consistent expression of cell adhesion molecules, preferential leukocyte transmigration, association with perivascular macrophage populations, and endothelial 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Oct2026-06-20T03:24:20.496Z2025-04-06T00:14:34.264ZS-EPMC95668703619700710.7554/eLife.57520