... main-tenance of BBB, modulate neurovascular coupling and maintain several parts of brain homeostasis. In thisminireview, we focus on the active functions of astro-cytes in regards to brain ... signaling pathways involved in pathfinding, growth, migration and differentiation. In fact, a num-ber of factors known in CNS development, includingaxon guidance molecules and neurotrophins, ... system used by proteins, such as insulin, trans-ferrin and leptin, to cross the BBB [13].Molecular basis of brain angiogenesis and barriergenesisHypoxia and the hypoxia-inducible factor systemAs...