This review is focused on the current aspect of heat shock proteins and hemeoxygenase expression in CNS injuries with special reference to alterations in the blood-brain and blood-spinal cord barriers. Several forms of CNS injuries are associated with breakdown of the blood-brain and the blood-spinal cord barriers. Thus, a possible relationship between breakdown of the microvascular barriers and expression of heat shock proteins and hemeoxygenase is quite eminent. This aspect has been discussed in the light of new experimental evidences. New data suggest that breakdown of the blood-brain and blood-spinal cord barriers following hyperthermia and spinal cord trauma plays important roles in cell injury and heat shock protein or hemeoxygenase expression. The functional significance of these findings is discussed.