Characterization of human fetal brain endothelial cells reveals barrier properties suitable for in vitro modeling of the BBB with syngenic co-cultures.

ABSTRACT: Endothelial cells (ECs) form the basis of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a physical barrier that selectively restricts transport into the brain. In vitro models can provide significant insight into BBB physiology, mechanisms of human disease pathology, toxicology, and drug delivery. Given the limited availability of primary human adult brain microvascular ECs ( aBMVECs), human fetal tissue offers a plausible alternative source for multiple donors and the opportunity to build syngenic tri-cultures from the same host. Previous efforts to culture fetal brain microvascular ECs ( fBMVECs) have not been successful in establishing mature barrier properties. Using optimal gestational age for isolation and flow cytometry cell sorting, we show for the first time that fBMVECs demonstrate mature barri

SUBMITTER: Andrews AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5987936 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature