A fully iPS-cell-derived 3D model of the human blood-brain barrier for exploring neurovascular disease mechanisms and therapeutic interventions.

ABSTRACT: Blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity is critical for brain homeostasis, with malfunctions contributing to neurovascular and neurodegenerative disorders. Mechanistic studies on BBB function have been mostly conducted in rodent and in vitro models, which recapitulate some disease features, but have limited translatability to humans and pose challenges for drug discovery. Here we report on a fully human induced pluripotent stem (iPS)-cell-derived, microfluidic three-dimensional (3D) BBB model consisting of endothelial cells (ECs), mural cells and astrocytes. Our model expresses typical fate markers, forms a barrier in vessel-like tubes and enables perfusion, including with human blood. Deletion of FOXF2 in ECs, a major risk gene for cerebral small vessel disease, induced key features of BBB dy

SUBMITTER: Gonzalez-Gallego J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12880921 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature