Influence of Substrate Stiffness on Barrier Function in an iPSC-Derived In Vitro Blood-Brain Barrier Model.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Vascular endothelial cells respond to a variety of biophysical cues such as shear stress and substrate stiffness. In peripheral vasculature, extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffening alters barrier function, leading to increased vascular permeability in atherosclerosis and pulmonary edema. The effect of ECM stiffness on blood-brain barrier (BBB) endothelial cells, however, has not been explored. To investigate this topic, we incorporated hydrogel substrates into an in vitro model of the human BBB.

Methods

Induced pluripotent stem cells were differentiated to brain microvascular endothelial-like (BMEC-like) cells and cultured on hydrogel substrates of varying stiffness. Cellular changes were measured by imaging, functional assays such as transendothelial elect

SUBMITTER: Bosworth AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8761195 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature