Modeling the Blood-Brain Barrier in a 3D Triple Co-Culture Microfluidic System

Andrea Pavesi1, Dongliang Ma, Eyleen L. Goh, Giulia Adriani, Roger D. Kamm

  • 1Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology

Details

08:45 - 09:00 | Wed 26 Aug | White 2 | WeAT16.2

Session: Advanced technologies for Cell and Tissue Engineering

Abstract

The need for a blood-brain barrier (BBB) model that accurately mimics the physiological characteristics of the in-vivo situation is well-recognized by researchers in academia and industry. However, there is currently no in-vitro model allowing studies of neuronal growth and/or function influenced by factors from the blood that cross through the BBB. Therefore, we established a 3D triple co-culture microfluidic system using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) together with primary rat astrocytes and neurons. Immunostaining confirmed the successful triple co-culture system consisting of an intact BBB with tight intercellular junctions in the endothelial monolayer. The BBB selective permeability was determined by a fluorescent-based assay using dextrans of different molecular weights. Finally, neuron functionality was demonstrated by calcium imaging.