3D self-organized microvascular model of the human blood-brain barrier with endothelial cells, pericytes and astrocytes.

ABSTRACT: The blood-brain barrier (BBB) regulates molecular trafficking, protects against pathogens, and prevents efficient drug delivery to the brain. Models to date failed to reproduce the human anatomical complexity of brain barriers, contributing to misleading results in clinical trials. To overcome these limitations, a novel 3-dimensional BBB microvascular network model was developed via vasculogenesis to accurately replicate the in vivo neurovascular organization. This microfluidic system includes human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells, brain pericytes, and astrocytes as self-assembled vascular networks in fibrin gel. Gene expression of membrane transporters, tight junction and extracellular matrix proteins, was consistent with computational analysis of geometrical struc

SUBMITTER: Campisi M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6201194 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature