Astrocytes are important glial cells involved in the ionic regulation of the extracellular fluid in the Central Nervous System (CNS), the formation of the blood brain barrier (BBB) and the support to neurons for the maintenance of the Krebs cycle intermediaries. Even though these cells are known to be important for the brain functioning, several of their functions and their development have not been fully elucidated. In this context, identifying the algorithms used for their analysis plays a pivotal role in the development of new strategies in the study of astrocytes. The main objective of this review is to summarize the techniques that have helped to obtain transcriptomic data in astrocytes and the new algorithms that were used to perform the analysis of experimental data, elucidating new studies in which these had been used. We also highlight the current transcriptomics approaches targeting astrocytes function as a possible target for pharmacological interventions.

The review considers the current level of computer modelling of the relationship between structure of organic compounds and drugs and their ability to penetrate the blood brain barrier (BBB). All descriptors that influence BBB permeability within classification and regression QSAR models have been summarized and analyzed. Special attention is paid to the crucial role of H-bond for processes of both passive and active transport across the BBB. It is concluded that subsequent progress in computer modelling of the BBB penetration capacity for drug substances will be achieved after characterization of a spatial structure of the full size P-glycoprotein molecule with high resolution and the creation of QSAR models describing quantitative relationship between structure and active transport of substances across the BBB.
Biochemistry (Moscow) Supplement Series B: Biomedical Chemistry, 2013, 7 (2), 95–107.