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Table 2 Major GPCRs in brain ECs

From: The CLDN5 gene at the blood-brain barrier in health and disease

Gene

Ligands

Gα subunits

Notes

Ref

Sphingosine 1-phospate receptors (S1PR)

S1PR1

Sphingosine 1–phosphate

i/o

Endothelial specific S1pr1−/− mice have loosened BBB with altered CLDN-5 localization

[65]

S1PR2

12/13

Its expression was induced by hypoxic stress in the ECs for promoting angiogenesis.

[112]

S1PR4

i/o, 12/13

Selective S1PR4 antagonist (CYM50358) could loosen the BBB in mice

[66]

Frizzled receptors (FZDs)

GPR124

Wnt7a/b

-

There is an atypical Wnt7a/b-specific co-receptor complex with Reck/GPR124/FZDs in brain ECs to stabilize the TJs

[73]

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptors

LPAR4

18:1 LPA

s, i/o, q/11, 12/13

Lpar4−/− mice show attenuated LPA-induced hypertensive response in a Gα12/13 dependent manner.

[111]

LPAR6

2-acyl-LPA

12/13

Lpar6−/− mice have a decreased vascular density and branching and show attenuated LPA-induced hypertensive response

[111]

Receptors for metabolic waste products

GPR4

CO2/H+

q/11, s, i/o, 12/13

Gαq/11 is used for CO2-mediated vasodilation. Gαs activation is also reported.

[131]

HCAR1

Lactate

i/o

It is expressed in both luminal and abluminal side.

[71]

Receptors for prostaglandins (PGs)

PTGER1

PGE2

q/11

Responsible PGE2 receptor for vasodilation via PGE2 released from activated CNS cells

[116]

PTGER2, 4

PGE2

s

Its expression in brain ECs was induced by ischemia-reperfusion injury.

[107]

Other important GPCRs in the BBB

CALCRL

Adrenomedulin

s

Fluid shear stress-induced Piezo-1 activation induces adrenomedullin.

[104]

P2RY1, 2

ATP

q/11

Fluid shear stress-induced Piezo-1 activation induces ATP.

Activated CNS cells also release ATP.

[106]

ADORA2A

Adenosine

s

Adenosine mainly arises from the hydrolysis of released ATP.

[105]

SMO

SHH bound PYCH-1

i/o

Active Gαi is necessary for efficient activation of Gli transcriptional factors.

[76]

F2R

Itself

12/13, q/11

A lymphocyte-released serine protease or thrombin can activate it

[113]

HRH1

Histamine

q/11

Endothelial dysfunction induced by histamine is dependent on Gαq/11 and RhoA

[132]

BDKRB2

Bradykinin

q/11

RMP-7 bradykinin analog is a representative BBB opener

[133]

GPR55

Lysophosphatidylinositol

q/11, 12/13

GPR55 is also activated by endocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoid ligand

[134]

  1. PTCH-1, patched-1; SHH, Sonic hedgehog;