Three-Dimensional Human Neurovascular Unit Modeling Reveals Cell-Specific Mechanisms of Traumatic Brain Injury.

ABSTRACT: Severe traumatic brain injury includes neurovascular unit (NVU) damage that is linked to the later development of neurodegenerative diseases. Cell-type-specific contributions and crosstalk between cells of the neurovascular unit following brain injury remain poorly defined in human cells. Here, we developed a three-dimensional (3D) human NVU model using silk-collagen scaffolds to examine cellular responses to controlled cortical impact (CCI). Using this platform, we show that CCI induced acute cell death in astrocytes, microglia, and endothelial cells but spared pericytes, which occurred independently of classical apoptotic or necroptotic pathways. Astrocytes and microglia were the primary sources of early bioactive IL-1β release, while endothelial junctional integrity was differentially r

SUBMITTER: Power LH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12733534 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature