Table 1 Tight and adherens junction proteins involved in BBB opening

Claudin

TJ, Transmembrane

Structural integrity/permeability of the TJ, TJ assembly

Occludin

TJ, Transmembrane

Regulates permeability

Zonula occludens (ZO)

TJ, Intracellular

Anchors occludin and claudin to actin cytoskeleton

JAM

TJ, Transmembrane

Guides tight junction assembly

P-glycoprotein

TJ, Transmembrane

Efflux transporter

VE-cadherin

AJ, Transmembrane

Forms adherens junction, cell adhesion and metabolism

Nectin

AJ, Transmembrane

Forms adherens junctions, Leukocyte trafficking

α/β-catenin

AJ, Intracellular

Anchors VE-cadherin to actin cytoskeleton

afadin

AJ, Intracellular

Anchors Nectin to actin cytoskeleton