A New Human Blood-Retinal Barrier Model Based on Endothelial Cells, Pericytes, and Astrocytes.

ABSTRACT: Blood-retinal barrier (BRB) dysfunction represents one of the most significant changes occurring during diabetic retinopathy. We set up a high-reproducible human-based in vitro BRB model using retinal pericytes, retinal astrocytes, and retinal endothelial cells in order to replicate the human in vivo environment with the same numerical ratio and layer order. Our findings showed that high glucose exposure elicited BRB breakdown, enhanced permeability, and reduced the levels of junction proteins such as ZO-1 and VE-cadherin. Furthermore, an increased expression of pro-inflammatory mediators (IL-1β, IL-6) and oxidative stress-related enzymes (iNOS, Nox2) along with an increased production of reactive oxygen species were observed in our triple co-culture paradigm. Finally, we found an activati

SUBMITTER: Fresta CG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7084779 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature