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Matsuo K, Nshihara H. Rebuilding insight into the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease through new blood-brain barrier models. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1954-1960. [PMID: 38227521 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.390978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier is a unique function of the microvasculature in the brain parenchyma that maintains homeostasis in the central nervous system. Blood-brain barrier breakdown is a common pathology in various neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease. Traditionally, it has been considered a consequence of neuroinflammation or neurodegeneration, but recent advanced imaging techniques and detailed studies in animal models show that blood-brain barrier breakdown occurs early in the disease process and may precede neuronal loss. Thus, the blood-brain barrier is attractive as a potential therapeutic target for neurological diseases that lack effective therapeutics. To elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying blood-brain barrier breakdown and translate them into therapeutic strategies for neurological diseases, there is a growing demand for experimental models of human origin that allow for functional assessments. Recently, several human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived blood-brain barrier models have been established and various in vitro blood-brain barrier models using microdevices have been proposed. Especially in the Alzheimer's disease field, the human evidence for blood-brain barrier dysfunction has been demonstrated and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived blood-brain barrier models have suggested the putative molecular mechanisms of pathological blood-brain barrier. In this review, we summarize recent evidence of blood-brain barrier dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease from pathological analyses, imaging studies, animal models, and stem cell sources. Additionally, we discuss the potential future directions for blood-brain barrier research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinya Matsuo
- Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Hideaki Nshihara
- Department of Neurotherapeutics, Yamaguchi University, Ube, Japan
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Yang JY, Shin DS, Jeong M, Kim SS, Jeong HN, Lee BH, Hwang KS, Son Y, Jeong HC, Choi CH, Lee KR, Bae MA. Evaluation of Drug Blood-Brain-Barrier Permeability Using a Microfluidic Chip. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:574. [PMID: 38794236 PMCID: PMC11125197 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16050574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The blood-brain-barrier (BBB) is made up of blood vessels whose permeability enables the passage of some compounds. A predictive model of BBB permeability is important in the early stages of drug development. The predicted BBB permeabilities of drugs have been confirmed using a variety of in vitro methods to reduce the quantities of drug candidates needed in preclinical and clinical trials. Most prior studies have relied on animal or cell-culture models, which do not fully recapitulate the human BBB. The development of microfluidic models of human-derived BBB cells could address this issue. We analyzed a model for predicting BBB permeability using the Emulate BBB-on-a-chip machine. Ten compounds were evaluated, and their permeabilities were estimated. Our study demonstrated that the permeability trends of ten compounds in our microfluidic-based system resembled those observed in previous animal and cell-based experiments. Furthermore, we established a general correlation between the partition coefficient (Kp) and the apparent permeability (Papp). In conclusion, we introduced a new paradigm for predicting BBB permeability using microfluidic-based systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung Yoon Yang
- Therapeutics & Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea; (J.Y.Y.); (D.-S.S.); (S.S.K.); (H.N.J.); (B.H.L.); (K.-S.H.); (Y.S.)
| | - Dae-Seop Shin
- Therapeutics & Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea; (J.Y.Y.); (D.-S.S.); (S.S.K.); (H.N.J.); (B.H.L.); (K.-S.H.); (Y.S.)
| | - Moonkyu Jeong
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea;
- Laboratory Animal Resource & Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Cheongju 28116, Republic of Korea;
| | - Seong Soon Kim
- Therapeutics & Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea; (J.Y.Y.); (D.-S.S.); (S.S.K.); (H.N.J.); (B.H.L.); (K.-S.H.); (Y.S.)
| | - Ha Neul Jeong
- Therapeutics & Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea; (J.Y.Y.); (D.-S.S.); (S.S.K.); (H.N.J.); (B.H.L.); (K.-S.H.); (Y.S.)
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Hoi Lee
- Therapeutics & Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea; (J.Y.Y.); (D.-S.S.); (S.S.K.); (H.N.J.); (B.H.L.); (K.-S.H.); (Y.S.)
| | - Kyu-Seok Hwang
- Therapeutics & Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea; (J.Y.Y.); (D.-S.S.); (S.S.K.); (H.N.J.); (B.H.L.); (K.-S.H.); (Y.S.)
| | - Yuji Son
- Therapeutics & Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea; (J.Y.Y.); (D.-S.S.); (S.S.K.); (H.N.J.); (B.H.L.); (K.-S.H.); (Y.S.)
| | - Hyeon-Cheol Jeong
- Laboratory Animal Resource & Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Cheongju 28116, Republic of Korea;
| | - Chi-Hoon Choi
- Department of Radiology, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea;
| | - Kyeong-Ryoon Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea;
- Laboratory Animal Resource & Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Cheongju 28116, Republic of Korea;
| | - Myung Ae Bae
- Therapeutics & Biotechnology Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea; (J.Y.Y.); (D.-S.S.); (S.S.K.); (H.N.J.); (B.H.L.); (K.-S.H.); (Y.S.)
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
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Gaudreau LI, Stewart EJ. Vasculature-on-a-chip technologies as platforms for advanced studies of bacterial infections. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2024; 18:021503. [PMID: 38560344 PMCID: PMC10977040 DOI: 10.1063/5.0179281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Bacterial infections frequently occur within or near the vascular network as the vascular network connects organ systems and is essential in delivering and removing blood, essential nutrients, and waste products to and from organs. In turn, the vasculature plays a key role in the host immune response to bacterial infections. Technological advancements in microfluidic device design and development have yielded increasingly sophisticated and physiologically relevant models of the vasculature including vasculature-on-a-chip and organ-on-a-chip models. This review aims to highlight advancements in microfluidic device development that have enabled studies of the vascular response to bacteria and bacterial-derived molecules at or near the vascular interface. In the first section of this review, we discuss the use of parallel plate flow chambers and flow cells in studies of bacterial adhesion to the vasculature. We then highlight microfluidic models of the vasculature that have been utilized to study bacteria and bacterial-derived molecules at or near the vascular interface. Next, we review organ-on-a-chip models inclusive of the vasculature and pathogenic bacteria or bacterial-derived molecules that stimulate an inflammatory response within the model system. Finally, we provide recommendations for future research in advancing the understanding of host-bacteria interactions and responses during infections as well as in developing innovative antimicrobials for preventing and treating bacterial infections that capitalize on technological advancements in microfluidic device design and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lily Isabelle Gaudreau
- Chemical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts 01609, USA
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Fayazbakhsh F, Hataminia F, Eslam HM, Ajoudanian M, Kharrazi S, Sharifi K, Ghanbari H. Evaluating the antioxidant potential of resveratrol-gold nanoparticles in preventing oxidative stress in endothelium on a chip. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21344. [PMID: 38049439 PMCID: PMC10696074 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47291-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial cells play a vital role in the health and maintenance of vascular homeostasis, but hyperglycemia disrupts their function by increasing cellular oxidative stress. Resveratrol, a plant polyphenol, possesses antioxidant properties that can mitigate oxidative stress. Addressing the challenges of its limited solubility and stability, gold nanoparticles (GNps) were utilized as carriers. A microfluidic chip (MFC) with dynamic flow conditions was designed to simulate body vessels and to investigate the antioxidant properties of resveratrol gold nanoparticles (RGNps), citrate gold nanoparticles (CGNps), and free Resveratrol on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was employed to measure the extracellular antioxidant potential, and cell viability was determined using the Alamar Blue test. For assessing intracellular oxidative stress, the 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) assay was conducted, and results from both the cell culture plate and MFC were compared. Free Resveratrol demonstrated peak DPPH scavenging activity but had a cell viability of about 24-35%. RGNPs, both 3.0 ± 0.5 nm and 20.2 ± 4.7 nm, consistently showed high cell viability (more than about 90%) across tested concentrations. Notably, RGNPs (20 nm) exhibited antioxidative properties through DPPH scavenging activity (%) in the range of approximately 38-86% which was greater than that of CGNps at about 21-32%. In the MFC,the DCFH-DA analysis indicated that RGNPs (20 nm) reduced cellular oxidative stress by 57-82%, surpassing both CGNps and free Resveratrol. Morphologically, cells in the MFC presented superior structure compared to those in traditional cell culture plates, and the induction of hyperglycemia successfully led to the formation of multinucleated variant endothelial cells (MVECs). The MFC provides a distinct advantage in observing cell morphology and inducing endothelial cell dysfunction. RGNps have demonstrated significant potential in alleviating oxidative stress and preventing endothelial cell disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzaneh Fayazbakhsh
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Hataminia
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Houra Mobaleghol Eslam
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ajoudanian
- Department of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sharmin Kharrazi
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kazem Sharifi
- Department of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Ghanbari
- Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Research Center for Advanced Technologies in Cardiovascular Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Wevers NR, De Vries HE. Microfluidic models of the neurovascular unit: a translational view. Fluids Barriers CNS 2023; 20:86. [PMID: 38008744 PMCID: PMC10680291 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-023-00490-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The vasculature of the brain consists of specialized endothelial cells that form a blood-brain barrier (BBB). This barrier, in conjunction with supporting cell types, forms the neurovascular unit (NVU). The NVU restricts the passage of certain substances from the bloodstream while selectively permitting essential nutrients and molecules to enter the brain. This protective role is crucial for optimal brain function, but presents a significant obstacle in treating neurological conditions, necessitating chemical modifications or advanced drug delivery methods for most drugs to cross the NVU. A deeper understanding of NVU in health and disease will aid in the identification of new therapeutic targets and drug delivery strategies for improved treatment of neurological disorders.To achieve this goal, we need models that reflect the human BBB and NVU in health and disease. Although animal models of the brain's vasculature have proven valuable, they are often of limited translational relevance due to interspecies differences or inability to faithfully mimic human disease conditions. For this reason, human in vitro models are essential to improve our understanding of the brain's vasculature under healthy and diseased conditions. This review delves into the advancements in in vitro modeling of the BBB and NVU, with a particular focus on microfluidic models. After providing a historical overview of the field, we shift our focus to recent developments, offering insights into the latest achievements and their associated constraints. We briefly examine the importance of chip materials and methods to facilitate fluid flow, emphasizing their critical roles in achieving the necessary throughput for the integration of microfluidic models into routine experimentation. Subsequently, we highlight the recent strides made in enhancing the biological complexity of microfluidic NVU models and propose recommendations for elevating the biological relevance of future iterations.Importantly, the NVU is an intricate structure and it is improbable that any model will fully encompass all its aspects. Fit-for-purpose models offer a valuable compromise between physiological relevance and ease-of-use and hold the future of NVU modeling: as simple as possible, as complex as needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nienke R Wevers
- MIMETAS BV, De Limes 7, Oegstgeest, 2342 DH, The Netherlands.
| | - Helga E De Vries
- Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience - Neuroinfection and Neuroinflammation, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Young AT, Deal H, Rusch G, Pozdin VA, Brown AC, Daniele M. Simple Design for Membrane-Free Microphysiological Systems to Model the Blood-Tissue Barriers. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.20.563328. [PMID: 37961220 PMCID: PMC10634696 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.20.563328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Microphysiological systems (MPS) incorporate physiologically relevant microanatomy, mechanics, and cells to mimic tissue function. Reproducible and standardized in vitro models of tissue barriers, such as the blood-tissue interface (BTI), are critical for next-generation MPS applications in research and industry. Many models of the BTI are limited by the need for semipermeable membranes, use of homogenous cell populations, or 2D culture. These factors limit the relevant endothelial-epithelial contact and 3D transport, which would best mimic the BTI. Current models are also difficult to assemble, requiring precise alignment and layering of components. The work reported herein details the engineering of a BTI-on-a-chip (BTI Chip) that addresses current disadvantages by demonstrating a single layer, membrane-free design. Laminar flow profiles, photocurable hydrogel scaffolds, and human cell lines were used to construct a BTI Chip that juxtaposes an endothelium in direct contact with a 3D engineered tissue. A biomaterial composite, gelatin methacryloyl and 8-arm polyethylene glycol thiol, was used for in situ fabrication of a tissue structure within a Y-shaped microfluidic device. To produce the BTI, a laminar flow profile was achieved by flowing a photocurable precursor solution alongside phosphate buffered saline. Immediately after stopping flow, the scaffold underwent polymerization through a rapid exposure to UV light (<300 mJ·cm-2). After scaffold formation, blood vessel endothelial cells were introduced and allowed to adhere directly to the 3D tissue scaffold, without barriers or phase guides. Fabrication of the BTI Chip was demonstrated in both an epithelial tissue model and blood-brain barrier (BBB) model. In the epithelial model, scaffolds were seeded with human dermal fibroblasts. For the BBB models, scaffolds were seeded with the immortalized glial cell line, SVGP12. The BTI Chip microanatomy was analyzed post facto by immunohistochemistry, showing the uniform production of a patent endothelium juxtaposed with a 3D engineered tissue. Fluorescent tracer molecules were used to characterize the permeability of the BTI Chip. The BTI Chips were challenged with an efflux pump inhibitor, cyclosporine A, to assess physiological function and endothelial cell activation. Operation of physiologically relevant BTI Chips and a novel means for high-throughput MPS generation was demonstrated, enabling future development for drug candidate screening and fundamental biological investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashlyn T. Young
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 911 Oval Dr., Raleigh NC, 27695 (USA)
| | - Halston Deal
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 911 Oval Dr., Raleigh NC, 27695 (USA)
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Dr., Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Gabrielle Rusch
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 911 Oval Dr., Raleigh NC, 27695 (USA)
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Dr., Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Vladimir A. Pozdin
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Florida International University, Miami, FL (USA)
- Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, Florida International University, Miami, FL (USA)
| | - Ashley C. Brown
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 911 Oval Dr., Raleigh NC, 27695 (USA)
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Dr., Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
| | - Michael Daniele
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 911 Oval Dr., Raleigh NC, 27695 (USA)
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Dr., Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
- Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, Florida International University, Miami, FL (USA)
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Monaco CF, Davis JS. Mechanisms of angioregression of the corpus luteum. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1254943. [PMID: 37841308 PMCID: PMC10568036 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1254943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The corpus luteum is a transient ovarian endocrine gland that produces the progesterone necessary for the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. The formation and function of this gland involves angiogenesis, establishing the tissue with a robust blood flow and vast microvasculature required to support production of progesterone. Every steroidogenic cell within the corpus luteum is in direct contact with a capillary, and disruption of angiogenesis impairs luteal development and function. At the end of a reproductive cycle, the corpus luteum ceases progesterone production and undergoes rapid structural regression into a nonfunctional corpus albicans in a process initiated and exacerbated by the luteolysin prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α). Structural regression is accompanied by complete regression of the luteal microvasculature in which endothelial cells die and are sloughed off into capillaries and lymphatic vessels. During luteal regression, changes in nitric oxide transiently increase blood flow, followed by a reduction in blood flow and progesterone secretion. Early luteal regression is marked by an increased production of cytokines and chemokines and influx of immune cells. Microvascular endothelial cells are sensitive to released factors during luteolysis, including thrombospondin, endothelin, and cytokines like tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) and transforming growth factor β 1 (TGFB1). Although PGF2α is known to be a vasoconstrictor, endothelial cells do not express receptors for PGF2α, therefore it is believed that the angioregression occurring during luteolysis is mediated by factors downstream of PGF2α signaling. Yet, the exact mechanisms responsible for angioregression in the corpus luteum remain unknown. This review describes the current knowledge on angioregression of the corpus luteum and the roles of vasoactive factors released during luteolysis on luteal vasculature and endothelial cells of the microvasculature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corrine F. Monaco
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - John S. Davis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
- US Department of Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Healthcare System, Omaha, NE, United States
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Yan L, Dwiggins CW, Gupta U, Stroka KM. A Rapid-Patterning 3D Vessel-on-Chip for Imaging and Quantitatively Analyzing Cell-Cell Junction Phenotypes. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:1080. [PMID: 37760182 PMCID: PMC10525190 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10091080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a dynamic interface that regulates the molecular exchanges between the brain and peripheral blood. The permeability of the BBB is primarily regulated by the junction proteins on the brain endothelial cells. In vitro BBB models have shown great potential for the investigation of the mechanisms of physiological function, pathologies, and drug delivery in the brain. However, few studies have demonstrated the ability to monitor and evaluate the barrier integrity by quantitatively analyzing the junction presentation in 3D microvessels. This study aimed to fabricate a simple vessel-on-chip, which allows for a rigorous quantitative investigation of junction presentation in 3D microvessels. To this end, we developed a rapid protocol that creates 3D microvessels with polydimethylsiloxane and microneedles. We established a simple vessel-on-chip model lined with human iPSC-derived brain microvascular endothelial-like cells (iBMEC-like cells). The 3D image of the vessel structure can then be "unwrapped" and converted to 2D images for quantitative analysis of cell-cell junction phenotypes. Our findings revealed that 3D cylindrical structures altered the phenotype of tight junction proteins, along with the morphology of cells. Additionally, the cell-cell junction integrity in our 3D models was disrupted by the tumor necrosis factor α. This work presents a "quick and easy" 3D vessel-on-chip model and analysis pipeline, together allowing for the capability of screening and evaluating the cell-cell junction integrity of endothelial cells under various microenvironment conditions and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Yan
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; (C.W.D.); (U.G.)
| | - Cole W. Dwiggins
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; (C.W.D.); (U.G.)
| | - Udit Gupta
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; (C.W.D.); (U.G.)
| | - Kimberly M. Stroka
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA; (C.W.D.); (U.G.)
- Biophysics Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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Dufva M. A quantitative meta-analysis comparing cell models in perfused organ on a chip with static cell cultures. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8233. [PMID: 37217582 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35043-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
As many consider organ on a chip for better in vitro models, it is timely to extract quantitative data from the literature to compare responses of cells under flow in chips to corresponding static incubations. Of 2828 screened articles, 464 articles described flow for cell culture and 146 contained correct controls and quantified data. Analysis of 1718 ratios between biomarkers measured in cells under flow and static cultures showed that the in all cell types, many biomarkers were unregulated by flow and only some specific biomarkers responded strongly to flow. Biomarkers in cells from the blood vessels walls, the intestine, tumours, pancreatic island, and the liver reacted most strongly to flow. Only 26 biomarkers were analysed in at least two different articles for a given cell type. Of these, the CYP3A4 activity in CaCo2 cells and PXR mRNA levels in hepatocytes were induced more than two-fold by flow. Furthermore, the reproducibility between articles was low as 52 of 95 articles did not show the same response to flow for a given biomarker. Flow showed overall very little improvements in 2D cultures but a slight improvement in 3D cultures suggesting that high density cell culture may benefit from flow. In conclusion, the gains of perfusion are relatively modest, larger gains are linked to specific biomarkers in certain cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Dufva
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kgs Lyngby, Denmark.
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Shevchuk O, Palii S, Pak A, Chantada N, Seoane N, Korda M, Campos-Toimil M, Álvarez E. Vessel-on-a-Chip: A Powerful Tool for Investigating Endothelial COVID-19 Fingerprints. Cells 2023; 12:cells12091297. [PMID: 37174696 PMCID: PMC10177552 DOI: 10.3390/cells12091297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) causes various vascular and blood-related reactions, including exacerbated responses. The role of endothelial cells in this acute response is remarkable and may remain important beyond the acute phase. As we move into a post-COVID-19 era (where most people have been or will be infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus), it is crucial to define the vascular consequences of COVID-19, including the long-term effects on the cardiovascular system. Research is needed to determine whether chronic endothelial dysfunction following COVID-19 could lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular and thrombotic events. Endothelial dysfunction could also serve as a diagnostic and therapeutic target for post-COVID-19. This review covers these topics and examines the potential of emerging vessel-on-a-chip technology to address these needs. Vessel-on-a-chip would allow for the study of COVID-19 pathophysiology in endothelial cells, including the analysis of SARS-CoV-2 interactions with endothelial function, leukocyte recruitment, and platelet activation. "Personalization" could be implemented in the models through induced pluripotent stem cells, patient-specific characteristics, or genetic modified cells. Adaptation for massive testing under standardized protocols is now possible, so the chips could be incorporated for the personalized follow-up of the disease or its sequalae (long COVID) and for the research of new drugs against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oksana Shevchuk
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, 46001 Ternopil, Ukraine
| | - Svitlana Palii
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, 46001 Ternopil, Ukraine
| | - Anastasiia Pak
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, 46001 Ternopil, Ukraine
| | - Nuria Chantada
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Nuria Seoane
- Physiology and Pharmacology of Chronic Diseases (FIFAEC) Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CiMUS), University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Mykhaylo Korda
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, 46001 Ternopil, Ukraine
| | - Manuel Campos-Toimil
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Physiology and Pharmacology of Chronic Diseases (FIFAEC) Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CiMUS), University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Ezequiel Álvarez
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), SERGAS, Travesía da Choupana s/n, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- CIBERCV, Institute of Health Carlos III, 28220 Madrid, Spain
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11
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Bayir E. Development of a three-dimensional in vitro blood-brain barrier using the chitosan-alginate polyelectrolyte complex as the extracellular matrix. J BIOACT COMPAT POL 2023. [DOI: 10.1177/08839115231157096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) consist of a spontaneous assembly of oppositely charged polysaccharides. PECs can be used to obtain a hydrogel tissue scaffold in tissue culture. In this study, it is aimed to use PEC as a blood-brain barrier (BBB) model scaffold. By mixing polycationic chitosan and polyanionic alginate solutions at a certain ratio it was obtained a 3D hydrogel scaffold and mimicked in vivo environment of the tissue. The PEC hydrogel scaffold’s chemical, physical, and mechanical characterizations were performed with FTIR, DSC, DMA, and Micro-CT analyses. In order to develop an in vitro BBB model, the human neuroblastoma cell line (SH-SY5Y) and mouse astrocyte cell line (C8-D1A) were mixed into a hydrogel, which is the abluminal side of the BBB. Human microvascular endothelial cells (HBEC-5i) were seeded on the hydrogel, and it was aimed to mimic the luminal side of the BBB. The characterization of the BBB model was determined by measuring the TEER, observation of the cell morphology with SEM, performing the permeability of Lucifer Yellow, and observation of tight junction proteins with immunofluorescence staining. As a result, HBEC-5i cells expressed tight junction proteins (ZO-1 and Claudin-5), showed TEER of 340 ± 22 Ω.cm2, and the Lucifer Yellow permeability of 7.4 × 10−7 ± 2.7 × 10−7 cm/s, which was suitable for use as an in vitro BBB model. Using a hydrogel PEC composed of chitosan and alginate as an extracellular matrix increased the direct interaction of endothelial cells, astrocytes, and neurons with each other and thus obtained a much less permeable model compared to other standard transwell models. Graphical abstract [Formula: see text]
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Affiliation(s)
- Ece Bayir
- Ege University Central Research Test and Analysis Laboratory Application and Research Center (EGE-MATAL), Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
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12
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Costa TFR, Goundry A, Morrot A, Grab DJ, Mottram JC, Lima APCA. Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense Inhibitor of Cysteine Peptidase (ICP) Is Required for Virulence in Mice and to Attenuate the Inflammatory Response. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:656. [PMID: 36614101 PMCID: PMC9820468 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The protozoan Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense causes Human African Trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, and penetrates the central nervous system, leading to meningoencephalitis. The Cathepsin L-like cysteine peptidase of T. b. rhodesiense has been implicated in parasite penetration of the blood-brain barrier and its activity is modulated by the chagasin-family endogenous inhibitor of cysteine peptidases (ICP). To investigate the role of ICP in T. b. rhodesiense bloodstream form, ICP-null (Δicp) mutants were generated, and lines re-expressing ICP (Δicp:ICP). Lysates of Δicp displayed increased E-64-sensitive cysteine peptidase activity and the mutant parasites traversed human brain microvascular endothelial cell (HBMEC) monolayers in vitro more efficiently. Δicp induced E-selectin in HBMECs, leading to the adherence of higher numbers of human neutrophils. In C57BL/6 mice, no Δicp parasites could be detected in the blood after 6 days, while mice infected with wild-type (WT) or Δicp:ICP displayed high parasitemia, peaking at day 12. In mice infected with Δicp, there was increased recruitment of monocytes to the site of inoculation and higher levels of IFN-γ in the spleen. At day 14, mice infected with Δicp exhibited higher preservation of the CD4+, CD8+, and CD19+ populations in the spleen, accompanied by sustained high IFN-γ, while NK1.1+ populations receded nearly to the levels of uninfected controls. We propose that ICP helps to downregulate inflammatory responses that contribute to the control of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana F. R. Costa
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil
| | - Amy Goundry
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Morrot
- Laboratório de Imunoparasitologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-900, Brazil
- Centro de Pesquisa em Tuberculose, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Manguinhos 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Dennis J. Grab
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Jeremy C. Mottram
- York Biomedical Research Institute and Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Ana Paula C. A. Lima
- Instituto de Biofisica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-901, Brazil
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13
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Mehta A, Desai A, Rudd D, Siddiqui G, Nowell CJ, Tong Z, Creek DJ, Tayalia P, Gandhi PS, Voelcker NH. Bio-Mimicking Brain Vasculature to Investigate the Role of Heterogeneous Shear Stress in Regulating Barrier Integrity. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2022; 6:e2200152. [PMID: 35999436 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202200152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
A continuous, sealed endothelial membrane is essential for the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to protect neurons from toxins present in systemic circulation. Endothelial cells are critical sensors of the capillary environment, where factors like fluid shear stress (FSS) and systemic signaling molecules activate intracellular pathways that either promote or disrupt the BBB. The brain vasculature exhibits complex heterogeneity across the bed, which is challenging to recapitulate in BBB microfluidic models with fixed dimensions and rectangular cross-section microchannels. Here, a Cayley-tree pattern, fabricated using lithography-less, fluid shaping technique in a modified Hele-Shaw cell is used to emulate the brain vasculature in a microfluidic chip. This geometry generates an inherent distribution of heterogeneous FSS, due to smooth variations in branch height and width. hCMEC/D3 endothelial cells cultured in the Cayley-tree designed chip generate a 3D monolayer of brain endothelium with branching hierarchy, enabling the study of the effect of heterogeneous FSS on the brain endothelium. The model is employed to study neuroinflammatory conditions by stimulating the brain endothelium with tumor necrosis factor-α under heterogeneous FSS conditions. The model has immense potential for studies involving drug transport across the BBB, which can be misrepresented in fixed dimension models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ami Mehta
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India.,IITB-Monash Research Academy, Mumbai, 400076, India
| | - Anal Desai
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - David Rudd
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Ghizal Siddiqui
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Cameron J Nowell
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Ziqiu Tong
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Darren J Creek
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Prakriti Tayalia
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India
| | - Prasanna S Gandhi
- Suman Mashruwala Advanced Microengineering Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India
| | - Nicolas H Voelcker
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, Victorian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
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14
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Jo B, Morimoto Y, Takeuchi S. 3D-Printed Centrifugal Pump Driven by Magnetic Force in Applications for Microfluidics in Biological Analysis. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2200593. [PMID: 35608243 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202200593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, microfluidic systems have been extensively utilized for biological analysis. The integration of pumps in microfluidic systems requires precise control of liquids and effort-intensive set-ups for multiplexed experiments. In this study, a 3D-printed centrifugal pump driven by magnetic force is presented for microfluidics and biological analysis. The permanent magnets implemented in the centrifugal pump synchronized the rotation of the driving and operating parts. Precise control of the flow rate and a wide range and variety of flow profiles are achieved by controlling the rotational speed of the motor in the driving part. The compact size and contactless driving part allow simple set-ups within commercially available culture dishes and tubes. It is demonstrated that the fabricated 3D-printed centrifugal pump can induce laminar flow in a microfluidic device, perfusion culture of in vitro tissues, and alignment of cells under shear stress. This device has a high potential for applications in microfluidic devices and perfusion culture of cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byeongwook Jo
- Mechano-Informatics, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Yuya Morimoto
- Mechano-Informatics, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Shoji Takeuchi
- Mechano-Informatics, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan.,Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8505, Japan.,International Research for Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), The University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
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15
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Harding IC, O'Hare NR, Vigliotti M, Caraballo A, Lee CI, Millican K, Herman IM, Ebong EE. Developing a transwell millifluidic device for studying blood-brain barrier endothelium. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:4603-4620. [PMID: 36326069 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00657j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Blood-brain barrier (BBB) endothelial cell (EC) function depends on flow conditions and on supportive cells, like pericytes and astrocytes, which have been shown to be both beneficial and detrimental for brain EC function. Most studies investigating BBB EC function lack physiological relevance, using sub-physiological shear stress magnitudes and/or omitting pericytes and astrocytes. In this study, we developed a millifluidic device compatible with standard transwell inserts to investigate BBB function. In contrast to standard polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic devices, this model allows for easy, reproducible shear stress exposure without common limitations of PDMS devices such as inadequate nutrient diffusion and air bubble formation. In no-flow conditions, we first used the device to examine the impact of primary human pericytes and astrocytes on human brain microvascular EC (HBMEC) barrier integrity. Astrocytes, pericytes, and a 1-to-1 ratio of both cell types increased HBMEC barrier integrity via reduced 3 and 40 kDa fluorescent dextran permeability and increased claudin-5 expression. There were differing levels of low 3 kDa permeability in HBMEC-pericyte, HBMEC-astrocyte, and HBMEC-astrocyte-pericyte co-cultures, while levels of low 40 kDa permeability were consistent across co-cultures. The 3 kDa findings suggest that pericytes provide more barrier support to the BBB model compared to astrocytes, although both supportive cell types are permeability reducers. Incorporation of 24-hour 12 dynes per cm2 flow significantly reduced dextran permeability in HBMEC monolayers, but not in the tri-culture model. These results indicate that tri-culture may exert more pronounced impact on overall BBB permeability than flow exposure. In both cases, monolayer and tri-culture, flow exposure interestingly reduced HBMEC expression of both claudin-5 and occludin. ZO-1 expression, and localization at cell-cell junctions increased in the tri-culture but exhibited no apparent change in the HBMEC monolayer. Under flow conditions, we also observed HBMEC alignment in the tri-culture but not in HBMEC monolayers, indicating supportive cells and flow are both essential to observe brain EC alignment in vitro. Collectively, these results support the necessity of physiologically relevant, multicellular BBB models when investigating BBB EC function. Consideration of the roles of shear stress and supportive cells within the BBB is critical for elucidating the physiology of the neurovascular unit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian C Harding
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicholas R O'Hare
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, 129 Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Mark Vigliotti
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, 129 Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Alex Caraballo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, 129 Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Claire I Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Karina Millican
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ira M Herman
- Department of Developmental, Molecular, and Chemical Biology, Tufts School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Innovations in Wound Healing Research, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eno E Ebong
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, 129 Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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16
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Linville RM, Sklar MB, Grifno GN, Nerenberg RF, Zhou J, Ye R, DeStefano JG, Guo Z, Jha R, Jamieson JJ, Zhao N, Searson PC. Three-dimensional microenvironment regulates gene expression, function, and tight junction dynamics of iPSC-derived blood-brain barrier microvessels. Fluids Barriers CNS 2022; 19:87. [PMID: 36333694 PMCID: PMC9636829 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-022-00377-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) plays a pivotal role in brain health and disease. In the BBB, brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) are connected by tight junctions which regulate paracellular transport, and express specialized transporter systems which regulate transcellular transport. However, existing in vitro models of the BBB display variable accuracy across a wide range of characteristics including gene/protein expression and barrier function. Here, we use an isogenic family of fluorescently-labeled iPSC-derived BMEC-like cells (iBMECs) and brain pericyte-like cells (iPCs) within two-dimensional confluent monolayers (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) tissue-engineered microvessels to explore how 3D microenvironment regulates gene expression and function of the in vitro BBB. We show that 3D microenvironment (shear stress, cell-ECM interactions, and cylindrical geometry) increases BBB phenotype and endothelial identity, and alters angiogenic and cytokine responses in synergy with pericyte co-culture. Tissue-engineered microvessels incorporating junction-labeled iBMECs enable study of the real-time dynamics of tight junctions during homeostasis and in response to physical and chemical perturbations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raleigh M Linville
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Matthew B Sklar
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Gabrielle N Grifno
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Renée F Nerenberg
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Justin Zhou
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Robert Ye
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jackson G DeStefano
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Zhaobin Guo
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ria Jha
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - John J Jamieson
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nan Zhao
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Peter C Searson
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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17
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Liu D, Zhu M, Lin Y, Li M, Huang R, Yang L, Song Y, Diao Y, Yang C. LY6E protein facilitates adeno-associated virus crossing in a biomimetic chip model of the human blood-brain barrier. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:4180-4190. [PMID: 36165190 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00698g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) controls chemical access to the brain and maintains fluid homeostasis, but in vitro models accurately simulating the physiological characteristics of the BBB are lacking. Here, we describe a simple and reproducible biomimetic chip-based model of the human BBB. In this bilayer co-culture, astrocytes and brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) are respectively seeded in upper and lower chambers separated by a semi-permeable membrane, with fluid shear force provided by a precision tilt shaker. Evaluation of barrier crossing by fluorescein sodium, 40 kDa or 70 kDa FITC-dextran, or adeno-associated virus (AAV) particles demonstrates that this bilayer model provides similar or greater barrier function than Transwell assays. Comparison of AAV serotypes indicated that AAV-PHP.eB can cross the human BBB in vitro, and at higher efficiency than AAV9. Additionally, RNAi knockdown and virus capsid protein binding assays show that AAV-PHP.eB delivery is facilitated by receptor protein lymphocyte antigen-6E (LY6E) in humans. This in vitro model system uses a miniaturized chip to enable high-throughput investigations of AAV crossing efficiency in the BBB, and provides strong initial evidence that human LY6E mediates AAV-PHP.eB crossing the BBB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Liu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China.
| | - Mingyang Zhu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China.
| | - Yi Lin
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China.
| | - Mengmeng Li
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China.
| | - Ruolan Huang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China.
| | - Liu Yang
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Yanling Song
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
| | - Yong Diao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China.
| | - Chaoyong Yang
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
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18
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Kawakita S, Mandal K, Mou L, Mecwan MM, Zhu Y, Li S, Sharma S, Hernandez AL, Nguyen HT, Maity S, de Barros NR, Nakayama A, Bandaru P, Ahadian S, Kim HJ, Herculano RD, Holler E, Jucaud V, Dokmeci MR, Khademhosseini A. Organ-On-A-Chip Models of the Blood-Brain Barrier: Recent Advances and Future Prospects. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2201401. [PMID: 35978444 PMCID: PMC9529899 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202201401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The human brain and central nervous system (CNS) present unique challenges in drug development for neurological diseases. One major obstacle is the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which hampers the effective delivery of therapeutic molecules into the brain while protecting it from blood-born neurotoxic substances and maintaining CNS homeostasis. For BBB research, traditional in vitro models rely upon Petri dishes or Transwell systems. However, these static models lack essential microenvironmental factors such as shear stress and proper cell-cell interactions. To this end, organ-on-a-chip (OoC) technology has emerged as a new in vitro modeling approach to better recapitulate the highly dynamic in vivo human brain microenvironment so-called the neural vascular unit (NVU). Such BBB-on-a-chip models have made substantial progress over the last decade, and concurrently there has been increasing interest in modeling various neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease using OoC technology. In addition, with recent advances in other scientific technologies, several new opportunities to improve the BBB-on-a-chip platform via multidisciplinary approaches are available. In this review, an overview of the NVU and OoC technology is provided, recent progress and applications of BBB-on-a-chip for personalized medicine and drug discovery are discussed, and current challenges and future directions are delineated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoru Kawakita
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
| | - Kalpana Mandal
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
| | - Lei Mou
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, No. 63 Duobao Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510150, P. R. China
| | | | - Yangzhi Zhu
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
| | - Shaopei Li
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
| | - Saurabh Sharma
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
| | | | - Huu Tuan Nguyen
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
| | - Surjendu Maity
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
| | | | - Aya Nakayama
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
| | - Praveen Bandaru
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
| | - Samad Ahadian
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
| | - Han-Jun Kim
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
| | - Rondinelli Donizetti Herculano
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
- Department of Bioprocess and Biotechnology Engineering, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Araraquara, SP, 14801-902, Brazil
| | - Eggehard Holler
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
| | - Vadim Jucaud
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
| | | | - Ali Khademhosseini
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, Los Angeles, CA, 90064, USA
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19
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A Review of Functional Analysis of Endothelial Cells in Flow Chambers. J Funct Biomater 2022; 13:jfb13030092. [PMID: 35893460 PMCID: PMC9326639 DOI: 10.3390/jfb13030092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The vascular endothelial cells constitute the innermost layer. The cells are exposed to mechanical stress by the flow, causing them to express their functions. To elucidate the functions, methods involving seeding endothelial cells as a layer in a chamber were studied. The chambers are known as parallel plate, T-chamber, step, cone plate, and stretch. The stimulated functions or signals from endothelial cells by flows are extensively connected to other outer layers of arteries or organs. The coculture layer was developed in a chamber to investigate the interaction between smooth muscle cells in the middle layer of the blood vessel wall in vascular physiology and pathology. Additionally, the microfabrication technology used to create a chamber for a microfluidic device involves both mechanical and chemical stimulation of cells to show their dynamics in in vivo microenvironments. The purpose of this study is to summarize the blood flow (flow inducing) for the functions connecting to endothelial cells and blood vessels, and to find directions for future chamber and device developments for further understanding and application of vascular functions. The relationship between chamber design flow, cell layers, and microfluidics was studied.
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20
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Choublier N, Taghi M, Menet MC, Le Gall M, Bruce J, Chafey P, Guillonneau F, Moreau A, Denizot C, Parmentier Y, Nakib S, Borderie D, Bouzinba-Segard H, Couraud PO, Bourdoulous S, Declèves X. Exposure of human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells hCMEC/D3 to laminar shear stress induces vascular protective responses. Fluids Barriers CNS 2022; 19:41. [PMID: 35658915 PMCID: PMC9164338 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-022-00344-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells (ECs) are constantly submitted in vivo to hemodynamical forces derived from the blood circulation, including shear stress (SS). ECs are able to detect SS and consequently adapt their phenotype, thus affecting many endothelial functions. If a plethora of shear stress-regulated molecular networks have been described in peripheral ECs, less is known about the molecular responses of microvascular brain ECs which constitute the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In this work, we investigated the response of human cerebral microvascular ECs to laminar physiological shear stress using the well characterized hCMEC/D3 cell line. Interestingly, we showed that hCMEC/D3 cells responded to shear stress by aligning perpendicularly to the flow direction, contrary to peripheral endothelial cells which aligned in the flow direction. Whole proteomic profiles were compared between hCMEC/D3 cells cultured either in static condition or under 5 or 10 dyn.cm-2 SS for 3 days. 3592 proteins were identified and expression levels were significantly affected for 3% of them upon both SS conditions. Pathway analyses were performed which revealed that most proteins overexpressed by SS refer to the antioxidant defense, probably mediated by activation of the NRF2 transcriptional factor. Regarding down-regulated proteins, most of them participate to the pro-inflammatory response, cell motility and proliferation. These findings confirm the induction of EC quiescence by laminar physiological SS and reveal a strong protective effect of SS on hCMEC/D3 cells, suggesting a similar effect on the BBB. Our results also showed that SS did not significantly increase expression levels nor did it affect the localization of junctional proteins and did not afect either the functional activity of several ABC transporters (P-glycoprotein and MRPs). This work provides new insights on the response of microvascular brain ECs to SS and on the importance of SS for optimizing in vitro BBB models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Choublier
- INSERM, Optimisation Thérapeutique en Neuropsychopharmacologie, Université Paris Cité, 75006, Paris, France.
| | - Meryam Taghi
- INSERM, Optimisation Thérapeutique en Neuropsychopharmacologie, Université Paris Cité, 75006, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Claude Menet
- Institut de Chimie Physique, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, 91405, Orsay, France
| | - Morgane Le Gall
- 3P5 Proteom'IC Facility, Institut Cochin, INSERM, CNRS, Université de Paris, F-75014, Paris, France
| | - Johanna Bruce
- 3P5 Proteom'IC Facility, Institut Cochin, INSERM, CNRS, Université de Paris, F-75014, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Chafey
- 3P5 Proteom'IC Facility, Institut Cochin, INSERM, CNRS, Université de Paris, F-75014, Paris, France
| | - François Guillonneau
- 3P5 Proteom'IC Facility, Institut Cochin, INSERM, CNRS, Université de Paris, F-75014, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | - Samir Nakib
- Service de Biochimie, Hôpital Cochin, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 75014, Paris, France
| | - Didier Borderie
- Service de Biochimie, Hôpital Cochin, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 75014, Paris, France
| | - Haniaa Bouzinba-Segard
- CNRS, INSERM, Institut Cochin, Inserm, CNRS, Université Paris Cité, 75014, Paris, France
| | - Pierre-Olivier Couraud
- CNRS, INSERM, Institut Cochin, Inserm, CNRS, Université Paris Cité, 75014, Paris, France
| | - Sandrine Bourdoulous
- CNRS, INSERM, Institut Cochin, Inserm, CNRS, Université Paris Cité, 75014, Paris, France
| | - Xavier Declèves
- INSERM, Optimisation Thérapeutique en Neuropsychopharmacologie, Université Paris Cité, 75006, Paris, France.
- Biologie du Médicament Et Toxicologie, AP-HP, Hôpital Cochin, 75014, Paris, France.
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21
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Introini V, Govendir MA, Rayner JC, Cicuta P, Bernabeu M. Biophysical Tools and Concepts Enable Understanding of Asexual Blood Stage Malaria. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:908241. [PMID: 35711656 PMCID: PMC9192966 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.908241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Forces and mechanical properties of cells and tissues set constraints on biological functions, and are key determinants of human physiology. Changes in cell mechanics may arise from disease, or directly contribute to pathogenesis. Malaria gives many striking examples. Plasmodium parasites, the causative agents of malaria, are single-celled organisms that cannot survive outside their hosts; thus, thost-pathogen interactions are fundamental for parasite’s biological success and to the host response to infection. These interactions are often combinations of biochemical and mechanical factors, but most research focuses on the molecular side. However, Plasmodium infection of human red blood cells leads to changes in their mechanical properties, which has a crucial impact on disease pathogenesis because of the interaction of infected red blood cells with other human tissues through various adhesion mechanisms, which can be probed and modelled with biophysical techniques. Recently, natural polymorphisms affecting red blood cell biomechanics have also been shown to protect human populations, highlighting the potential of understanding biomechanical factors to inform future vaccines and drug development. Here we review biophysical techniques that have revealed new aspects of Plasmodium falciparum invasion of red blood cells and cytoadhesion of infected cells to the host vasculature. These mechanisms occur differently across Plasmodium species and are linked to malaria pathogenesis. We highlight promising techniques from the fields of bioengineering, immunomechanics, and soft matter physics that could be beneficial for studying malaria. Some approaches might also be applied to other phases of the malaria lifecycle and to apicomplexan infections with complex host-pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viola Introini
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Viola Introini,
| | - Matt A. Govendir
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julian C. Rayner
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Pietro Cicuta
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Bernabeu
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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22
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Chung TD, Linville RM, Guo Z, Ye R, Jha R, Grifno GN, Searson PC. Effects of acute and chronic oxidative stress on the blood-brain barrier in 2D and 3D in vitro models. Fluids Barriers CNS 2022; 19:33. [PMID: 35551622 PMCID: PMC9097350 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-022-00327-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress is a shared pathology of neurodegenerative disease and brain injuries, and is derived from perturbations to normal cell processes by aging or environmental factors such as UV exposure and air pollution. As oxidative cues are often present in systemic circulation, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) plays a key role in mediating the effect of these cues on brain dysfunction. Therefore, oxidative damage and disruption of the BBB is an emergent focus of neurodegenerative disease etiology and progression. We assessed barrier dysfunction in response to chronic and acute oxidative stress in 2D and 3D in vitro models of the BBB with human iPSC-derived brain microvascular endothelial-like cells (iBMECs). We first established doses of hydrogen peroxide to induce chronic damage (modeling aging and neurodegenerative disease) and acute damage (modeling the response to traumatic brain injury) by assessing barrier function via transendothelial electrical resistance in 2D iBMEC monolayers and permeability and monolayer integrity in 3D tissue-engineered iBMEC microvessels. Following application of these chronic and acute doses in our in vitro models, we found local, discrete structural changes were the most prevalent responses (rather than global barrier loss). Additionally, we validated unique functional changes in response to oxidative stress, including dysfunctional cell turnover dynamics and immune cell adhesion that were consistent with changes in gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy D Chung
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 100 Croft Hall, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Raleigh M Linville
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 100 Croft Hall, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Zhaobin Guo
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 100 Croft Hall, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Robert Ye
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 100 Croft Hall, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ria Jha
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 100 Croft Hall, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Gabrielle N Grifno
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 100 Croft Hall, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Peter C Searson
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 100 Croft Hall, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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23
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Polk T, Schmitt S, Aldrich JL, Long DS. Human dermal microvascular endothelial cell morphological response to fluid shear stress. Microvasc Res 2022; 143:104377. [PMID: 35561754 DOI: 10.1016/j.mvr.2022.104377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
As the cells that line the vasculature, endothelial cells are continually exposed to fluid shear stress by blood flow. Recent studies suggest that the morphological response of endothelial cells to fluid shear stress depends on the endothelial cell type. Thus, the present study characterizes the morphological response of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) and nuclei to steady, laminar, and unidirectional fluid shear stress. Cultured HMEC-1 monolayers were exposed to shear stress of 0.3 dyn/cm2, 16 dyn/cm2, or 32 dyn/cm2 for 72 h with hourly live-cell imaging capturing both the nuclear and cellular morphology. Despite changes in elongation and alignment occurring with increasing fluid shear stress, there was a lack of elongation and alignment over time under each fluid shear stress condition. Conversely, changes in cellular and nuclear area exhibited dependence on both time and fluid shear stress magnitude. The trends in cellular morphology differed at shear stress levels above and below 16 dyn/cm2, whereas the nuclear orientation was independent of fluid shear stress magnitude. These findings show the complex morphological response of HMEC-1 to fluid shear stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tabatha Polk
- Mechanobiology and Biomedicine Lab, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, USA
| | - Sarah Schmitt
- Mechanobiology and Biomedicine Lab, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, USA
| | - Jessica L Aldrich
- Mechanobiology and Biomedicine Lab, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, USA
| | - David S Long
- Mechanobiology and Biomedicine Lab, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, USA.
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24
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Gifre-Renom L, Daems M, Luttun A, Jones EAV. Organ-Specific Endothelial Cell Differentiation and Impact of Microenvironmental Cues on Endothelial Heterogeneity. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031477. [PMID: 35163400 PMCID: PMC8836165 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells throughout the body are heterogeneous, and this is tightly linked to the specific functions of organs and tissues. Heterogeneity is already determined from development onwards and ranges from arterial/venous specification to microvascular fate determination in organ-specific differentiation. Acknowledging the different phenotypes of endothelial cells and the implications of this diversity is key for the development of more specialized tissue engineering and vascular repair approaches. However, although novel technologies in transcriptomics and proteomics are facilitating the unraveling of vascular bed-specific endothelial cell signatures, still much research is based on the use of insufficiently specialized endothelial cells. Endothelial cells are not only heterogeneous, but their specialized phenotypes are also dynamic and adapt to changes in their microenvironment. During the last decades, strong collaborations between molecular biology, mechanobiology, and computational disciplines have led to a better understanding of how endothelial cells are modulated by their mechanical and biochemical contexts. Yet, because of the use of insufficiently specialized endothelial cells, there is still a huge lack of knowledge in how tissue-specific biomechanical factors determine organ-specific phenotypes. With this review, we want to put the focus on how organ-specific endothelial cell signatures are determined from development onwards and conditioned by their microenvironments during adulthood. We discuss the latest research performed on endothelial cells, pointing out the important implications of mimicking tissue-specific biomechanical cues in culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laia Gifre-Renom
- Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven), BE-3000 Leuven, Belgium; (L.G.-R.); (M.D.); (A.L.)
| | - Margo Daems
- Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven), BE-3000 Leuven, Belgium; (L.G.-R.); (M.D.); (A.L.)
| | - Aernout Luttun
- Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven), BE-3000 Leuven, Belgium; (L.G.-R.); (M.D.); (A.L.)
| | - Elizabeth A. V. Jones
- Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven), BE-3000 Leuven, Belgium; (L.G.-R.); (M.D.); (A.L.)
- Department of Cardiology, CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Correspondence:
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25
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Locatelli L, Inglebert M, Scrimieri R, Sinha PK, Zuccotti GV, Milani P, Bureau L, Misbah C, Maier JAM. Human endothelial cells in high glucose: New clues from culture in 3D microfluidic chips. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22137. [DOI: 10.1096/fj.202100914r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Locatelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche L. Sacco Università di Milano Milano Italy
| | | | - Roberta Scrimieri
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche L. Sacco Università di Milano Milano Italy
| | | | - Gian Vincenzo Zuccotti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche L. Sacco Università di Milano Milano Italy
| | - Paolo Milani
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Nanostructured Materials and Interfaces (CIMaINa) Università di Milano Milano Italy
- Dipartimento di Fisica “A. Pontremoli” Università di Milano Milano Italy
| | - Lionel Bureau
- LIPhy, CNRS Université Grenoble‐Alpes Grenoble France
| | | | - Jeanette A. M. Maier
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche L. Sacco Università di Milano Milano Italy
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Nanostructured Materials and Interfaces (CIMaINa) Università di Milano Milano Italy
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26
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Cader Z. Human Blood-Brain-Barrier In Vitro Models: Overview and Applications. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2022; 273:205-222. [PMID: 34935086 DOI: 10.1007/164_2021_562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The human blood-brain-barrier (BBB) is a vital structure for brain health. Conversely it represents a challenge in drug development programmes that require breaching of the barrier in order to access the central nervous system. Very often brain disorders have early dysfunction of the BBB implicating an important role in pathogenesis and disease progression. The development of human in vitro models is a major advance to allow experimental studies and screening assays, although there remain outstanding questions for the field. In this chapter, the current state of the art will be reviewed, with the complementary innovative approaches to in vitro modelling described, from simple 2D-cultures to more complex multi-cell type micro-physiological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zameel Cader
- Translational Molecular Neuroscience Group, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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27
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Holloway PM. Novel, Emerging Chip Models of the Blood-Brain Barrier and Future Directions. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2492:193-224. [PMID: 35733046 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2289-6_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The use of microfluidic chips is now allowing for more advanced modelling of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in vitro, recapitulating heterotypic interactions, 3D architecture, and physiological flow. This chapter will give an introduction to these new technologies and how they are being applied to model the BBB and neurovascular unit (NVU). A foundational understanding of the fluid dynamics germane to the effective use of these chips will be set and an overview of how physical phenomena at the microscale can be exploited to enable new possibilities to control the cell culture environment. The four main approaches to construct microfluidic blood vessel mimetics will be discussed with examples of how these techniques are being applied to model the BBB and more recently to study specific neurovascular disease processes. Finally, practical guidance will be given for researchers wishing to adopt these new techniques along with a summary of the challenges, limitations faced, and new opportunities opened up by these advanced cell culture systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Holloway
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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28
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Yan L, Moriarty RA, Stroka KM. Recent progress and new challenges in modeling of human pluripotent stem cell-derived blood-brain barrier. Theranostics 2021; 11:10148-10170. [PMID: 34815809 PMCID: PMC8581424 DOI: 10.7150/thno.63195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a semipermeable unit that serves to vascularize the central nervous system (CNS) while tightly regulating the movement of molecules, ions, and cells between the blood and the brain. The BBB precisely controls brain homeostasis and protects the neural tissue from toxins and pathogens. The BBB is coordinated by a tight monolayer of brain microvascular endothelial cells, which is subsequently supported by mural cells, astrocytes, and surrounding neuronal cells that regulate the barrier function with a series of specialized properties. Dysfunction of barrier properties is an important pathological feature in the progression of various neurological diseases. In vitro BBB models recapitulating the physiological and diseased states are important tools to understand the pathological mechanism and to serve as a platform to screen potential drugs. Recent advances in this field have stemmed from the use of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). Various cell types of the BBB such as brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs), pericytes, and astrocytes have been derived from PSCs and synergistically incorporated to model the complex BBB structure in vitro. In this review, we summarize the most recent protocols and techniques for the differentiation of major cell types of the BBB. We also discuss the progress of BBB modeling by using PSC-derived cells and perspectives on how to reproduce more natural BBBs in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Yan
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Rebecca A. Moriarty
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Kimberly M. Stroka
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
- Biophysics Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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29
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Brain microvasculature endothelial cell orientation on micropatterned hydrogels is affected by glucose level variations. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19608. [PMID: 34608232 PMCID: PMC8490407 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-99136-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
This work reports on an effort to decipher the alignment of brain microvasculature endothelial cells to physical constrains generated via adhesion control on hydrogel surfaces and explore the corresponding responses upon glucose level variations emulating the hypo- and hyperglycaemic effects in diabetes. We prepared hydrogels of hyaluronic acid a natural biomaterial that does not naturally support endothelial cell adhesion, and specifically functionalised RGD peptides into lines using UV-mediated linkage. The width of the lines was varied from 10 to 100 µm. We evaluated cell alignment by measuring the nuclei, cell, and F-actin orientations, and the nuclei and cell eccentricity via immunofluorescent staining and image analysis. We found that the brain microvascular endothelial cells aligned and elongated to these physical constraints for all line widths. In addition, we also observed that varying the cell medium glucose levels affected the cell alignment along the patterns. We believe our results may provide a platform for further studies on the impact of altered glucose levels in cardiovascular disease.
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30
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Ranadewa D, Wu J, Subramanianbalachandar VA, Steward RL. Variable fluid flow regimes alter human brain microvascular endothelial cell-cell junctions and cytoskeletal structure. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2021; 78:323-334. [PMID: 34467654 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The human brain microvasculature is constantly exposed to variable fluid flow regimes and their influence on the endothelium depends in part on the synchronous cooperative behavior between cell-cell junctions and the cytoskeleton. In this study, we exposed human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells to a low laminar flow (1 dyne⋅cm-2 ), high laminar flow (10 dyne⋅cm-2 ), low oscillatory flow (±1 dyne⋅cm-2 ), or high oscillatory flow (±10 dyne⋅cm-2 ) for 24 hr. After this time, endothelial cell-cell junction and cytoskeletal structural response was characterized through observation of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), claudin-5, junctional adhesion molecule-A (JAM-A), vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-Cad), and F-actin. In addition, we also characterized cell morphology through measurement of cell area and cell eccentricity. Our results revealed the greatest change in junctional structure reorganization for ZO-1 and JAM-A to be observed under low laminar flow conditions while claudin-5 exhibited the greatest change in structural reorganization under both low and high laminar flow conditions. However, VE-Cad displayed the greatest structural response under a high laminar flow, reflecting the unique responses each cell-cell junction protein had to each fluid flow regime. In addition, cell area and cell eccentricity displayed most significant changes under the high laminar flow and low oscillatory flow, respectively. We believe this study will be useful to the field of cell mechanics and mechanobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilshan Ranadewa
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Jingwen Wu
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | | | - Robert L Steward
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA.,Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
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31
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Appelt-Menzel A, Oerter S, Mathew S, Haferkamp U, Hartmann C, Jung M, Neuhaus W, Pless O. Human iPSC-Derived Blood-Brain Barrier Models: Valuable Tools for Preclinical Drug Discovery and Development? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 55:e122. [PMID: 32956578 DOI: 10.1002/cpsc.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Translating basic biological knowledge into applications remains a key issue for effectively tackling neurodegenerative, neuroinflammatory, or neuroendocrine disorders. Efficient delivery of therapeutics across the neuroprotective blood-brain barrier (BBB) still poses a demanding challenge for drug development targeting central nervous system diseases. Validated in vitro models of the BBB could facilitate effective testing of drug candidates targeting the brain early in the drug discovery process during lead generation. We here review the potential of mono- or (isogenic) co-culture BBB models based on brain capillary endothelial cells (BCECs) derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), and compare them to several available BBB in vitro models from primary human or non-human cells and to rodent in vivo models, as well as to classical and widely used barrier models [Caco-2, parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA)]. In particular, we are discussing the features and predictivity of these models and how hiPSC-derived BBB models could impact future discovery and development of novel CNS-targeting therapeutics. © 2020 The Authors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antje Appelt-Menzel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC, Translational Center Regenerative Therapies (TLC-RT), Röntgenring 11, Würzburg, Germany.,University Hospital Würzburg, Chair Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (TERM), Röntgenring 11, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sabrina Oerter
- Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC, Translational Center Regenerative Therapies (TLC-RT), Röntgenring 11, Würzburg, Germany.,University Hospital Würzburg, Chair Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (TERM), Röntgenring 11, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sanjana Mathew
- University Hospital Würzburg, Chair Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (TERM), Röntgenring 11, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Undine Haferkamp
- Fraunhofer IME ScreeningPort, Schnackenburgallee 114, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Carla Hartmann
- University Hospital Halle, University Clinic and Outpatient Clinic for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatic Medicine, Julius-Kuehn-Strasse 7, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Matthias Jung
- University Hospital Halle, University Clinic and Outpatient Clinic for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatic Medicine, Julius-Kuehn-Strasse 7, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Winfried Neuhaus
- AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Center Health and Bioresources, Competence Unit Molecular Diagnostics, Giefinggasse 4, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ole Pless
- Fraunhofer IME ScreeningPort, Schnackenburgallee 114, Hamburg, Germany
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32
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Dessalles CA, Leclech C, Castagnino A, Barakat AI. Integration of substrate- and flow-derived stresses in endothelial cell mechanobiology. Commun Biol 2021; 4:764. [PMID: 34155305 PMCID: PMC8217569 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02285-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells (ECs) lining all blood vessels are subjected to large mechanical stresses that regulate their structure and function in health and disease. Here, we review EC responses to substrate-derived biophysical cues, namely topography, curvature, and stiffness, as well as to flow-derived stresses, notably shear stress, pressure, and tensile stresses. Because these mechanical cues in vivo are coupled and are exerted simultaneously on ECs, we also review the effects of multiple cues and describe burgeoning in vitro approaches for elucidating how ECs integrate and interpret various mechanical stimuli. We conclude by highlighting key open questions and upcoming challenges in the field of EC mechanobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire A Dessalles
- LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole polytechnique, Institut polytechnique de Paris, Palaiseau, France
| | - Claire Leclech
- LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole polytechnique, Institut polytechnique de Paris, Palaiseau, France
| | - Alessia Castagnino
- LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole polytechnique, Institut polytechnique de Paris, Palaiseau, France
| | - Abdul I Barakat
- LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole polytechnique, Institut polytechnique de Paris, Palaiseau, France.
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Blood–Brain Barrier Dynamic Device with Uniform Shear Stress Distribution for Microscopy and Permeability Measurements. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11125584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neurology has always been one of the therapeutic areas with higher attrition rates. One of the main difficulties is the presence of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) that restricts access to the brain for major drugs. This low success rate has led to an increasing demand for in vitro tools. The shear stress, which positively affects endothelial cell differentiation by mimicking blood flow, is required for a more physiological in vitro BBB model. We created an innovative device specifically designed for cell culture under shear stress to investigate drug permeability. Our dynamic device encompasses two compartments communicating together via a semi-permeable membrane, on which human cerebral microvascular endothelial (hCMEC/D3) cells were seeded. The fluidic controlled environment ensures a laminar and homogenous flow to culture cells for at least seven days. Cell differentiation was characterized by immunodetection of inter-endothelial junctions directly in the device by confocal microscopy. Finally, we performed permeability assay with lucifer yellow in both static and dynamic conditions in parallel. Our dynamic device is suited to the evaluation of barrier function and the study of drug transport across the BBB, but it could also be used with other human cell types to reproduce intestinal or kidney barriers.
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34
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Hydrodynamic Focusing-Enabled Blood Vessel Fabrication for in Vitro Modeling of Neural Surrogates. J Med Biol Eng 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s40846-021-00629-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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35
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Bayir E, Sendemir A. Role of Intermediate Filaments in Blood-Brain Barrier in Health and Disease. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061400. [PMID: 34198868 PMCID: PMC8226756 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a highly selective cellular monolayer unique to the microvasculature of the central nervous system (CNS), and it mediates the communication of the CNS with the rest of the body by regulating the passage of molecules into the CNS microenvironment. Limitation of passage of substances through the BBB is mainly due to tight junctions (TJ) and adherens junctions (AJ) between brain microvascular endothelial cells. The importance of actin filaments and microtubules in establishing and maintaining TJs and AJs has been indicated; however, recent studies have shown that intermediate filaments are also important in the formation and function of cell–cell junctions. The most common intermediate filament protein in endothelial cells is vimentin. Vimentin plays a role in blood–brain barrier permeability in both cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions by affecting the actin and microtubule reorganization and by binding directly to VE-cadherin or integrin proteins. The BBB permeability increases due to the formation of stress fibers and the disruption of VE–cadherin interactions between two neighboring cells in various diseases, disrupting the fiber network of intermediate filament vimentin in different ways. Intermediate filaments may be long ignored key targets in regulation of BBB permeability in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ece Bayir
- Ege University Central Research Test and Analysis Laboratory Application and Research Center (EGE-MATAL), Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey;
| | - Aylin Sendemir
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey
- Department of Biomedical Technologies, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Science, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +90-232-3114817
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Schofield CL, Rodrigo-Navarro A, Dalby MJ, Van Agtmael T, Salmeron-Sanchez M. Biochemical‐ and Biophysical‐Induced Barriergenesis in the Blood–Brain Barrier: A Review of Barriergenic Factors for Use in In Vitro Models. ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/anbr.202000068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Matthew J. Dalby
- Centre for the Cellular Microenvironment University of Glasgow Glasgow UK
| | - Tom Van Agtmael
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences University of Glasgow Glasgow UK
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Cameron T, Bennet T, Rowe EM, Anwer M, Wellington CL, Cheung KC. Review of Design Considerations for Brain-on-a-Chip Models. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:441. [PMID: 33921018 PMCID: PMC8071412 DOI: 10.3390/mi12040441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, the need for sophisticated human in vitro models for integrative biology has motivated the development of organ-on-a-chip platforms. Organ-on-a-chip devices are engineered to mimic the mechanical, biochemical and physiological properties of human organs; however, there are many important considerations when selecting or designing an appropriate device for investigating a specific scientific question. Building microfluidic Brain-on-a-Chip (BoC) models from the ground-up will allow for research questions to be answered more thoroughly in the brain research field, but the design of these devices requires several choices to be made throughout the design development phase. These considerations include the cell types, extracellular matrix (ECM) material(s), and perfusion/flow considerations. Choices made early in the design cycle will dictate the limitations of the device and influence the end-point results such as the permeability of the endothelial cell monolayer, and the expression of cell type-specific markers. To better understand why the engineering aspects of a microfluidic BoC need to be influenced by the desired biological environment, recent progress in microfluidic BoC technology is compared. This review focuses on perfusable blood-brain barrier (BBB) and neurovascular unit (NVU) models with discussions about the chip architecture, the ECM used, and how they relate to the in vivo human brain. With increased knowledge on how to make informed choices when selecting or designing BoC models, the scientific community will benefit from shorter development phases and platforms curated for their application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany Cameron
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; (T.C.); (T.B.)
- Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Tanya Bennet
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; (T.C.); (T.B.)
- Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Elyn M. Rowe
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; (E.M.R.); (M.A.); (C.L.W.)
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Mehwish Anwer
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; (E.M.R.); (M.A.); (C.L.W.)
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Cheryl L. Wellington
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; (E.M.R.); (M.A.); (C.L.W.)
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Karen C. Cheung
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; (T.C.); (T.B.)
- Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
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38
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Impact of cigarette versus electronic cigarette aerosol conditioned media on aortic endothelial cells in a microfluidic cardiovascular model. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4747. [PMID: 33637800 PMCID: PMC7910588 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83511-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a complex process involving progressive pathological events, including monocyte adhesion to the luminal endothelial surface. We have developed a functional in vitro adhesion assay using BioFlux microfluidic technology to investigate THP-1 (human acute monocytic leukaemia cell) monocyte adhesion to human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). The effect of whole smoke conditioned media (WSCM) generated from University of Kentucky reference cigarette 3R4F, electronic cigarette vapour conditioned media (eVCM) from an electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) product (Vype ePen) and nicotine on monocyte adhesion to HAECs was evaluated. Endothelial monolayers were grown in microfluidic channels and exposed to 0–1500 ng/mL nicotine or nicotine equivalence of WSCM or eVCM for 24 h. Activated THP-1 cells were perfused through the channels and a perfusion, adhesion period and wash cycle performed four times with increasing adhesion period lengths (10, 20, 30 and 40 min). THP-1 cell adhesion was quantified by counting adherent cells. WSCM induced dose-dependent increases in monocyte adhesion compared to vehicle control. No such increases were observed for eVCM or nicotine. Adhesion regulation was linked to increased ICAM-1 protein expression. Staining of ICAM-1 in HAECs and CD11b (MAC-1) in THP-1 cells demonstrated adhesion molecule co-localisation in BioFlux plates. The ICAM-1 adhesion response to WSCM was downregulated by transfecting HAECs with ICAM-1 siRNA. We conclude that the BioFlux system is able to model human monocyte adhesion to primary human endothelial cells in vitro and WSCM drives the greatest increase in monocyte adhesion via a mechanism involving endothelial ICAM-1 expression.
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Sangha GS, Goergen CJ, Prior SJ, Ranadive SM, Clyne AM. Preclinical techniques to investigate exercise training in vascular pathophysiology. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2021; 320:H1566-H1600. [PMID: 33385323 PMCID: PMC8260379 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00719.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a dynamic process starting with endothelial dysfunction and inflammation and eventually leading to life-threatening arterial plaques. Exercise generally improves endothelial function in a dose-dependent manner by altering hemodynamics, specifically by increased arterial pressure, pulsatility, and shear stress. However, athletes who regularly participate in high-intensity training can develop arterial plaques, suggesting alternative mechanisms through which excessive exercise promotes vascular disease. Understanding the mechanisms that drive atherosclerosis in sedentary versus exercise states may lead to novel rehabilitative methods aimed at improving exercise compliance and physical activity. Preclinical tools, including in vitro cell assays, in vivo animal models, and in silico computational methods, broaden our capabilities to study the mechanisms through which exercise impacts atherogenesis, from molecular maladaptation to vascular remodeling. Here, we describe how preclinical research tools have and can be used to study exercise effects on atherosclerosis. We then propose how advanced bioengineering techniques can be used to address gaps in our current understanding of vascular pathophysiology, including integrating in vitro, in vivo, and in silico studies across multiple tissue systems and size scales. Improving our understanding of the antiatherogenic exercise effects will enable engaging, targeted, and individualized exercise recommendations to promote cardiovascular health rather than treating cardiovascular disease that results from a sedentary lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gurneet S Sangha
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Craig J Goergen
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.,Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Steven J Prior
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, Maryland.,Baltimore Veterans Affairs Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Sushant M Ranadive
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, Maryland
| | - Alisa M Clyne
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
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40
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Nikolakopoulou P, Rauti R, Voulgaris D, Shlomy I, Maoz BM, Herland A. Recent progress in translational engineered in vitro models of the central nervous system. Brain 2020; 143:3181-3213. [PMID: 33020798 PMCID: PMC7719033 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awaa268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The complexity of the human brain poses a substantial challenge for the development of models of the CNS. Current animal models lack many essential human characteristics (in addition to raising operational challenges and ethical concerns), and conventional in vitro models, in turn, are limited in their capacity to provide information regarding many functional and systemic responses. Indeed, these challenges may underlie the notoriously low success rates of CNS drug development efforts. During the past 5 years, there has been a leap in the complexity and functionality of in vitro systems of the CNS, which have the potential to overcome many of the limitations of traditional model systems. The availability of human-derived induced pluripotent stem cell technology has further increased the translational potential of these systems. Yet, the adoption of state-of-the-art in vitro platforms within the CNS research community is limited. This may be attributable to the high costs or the immaturity of the systems. Nevertheless, the costs of fabrication have decreased, and there are tremendous ongoing efforts to improve the quality of cell differentiation. Herein, we aim to raise awareness of the capabilities and accessibility of advanced in vitro CNS technologies. We provide an overview of some of the main recent developments (since 2015) in in vitro CNS models. In particular, we focus on engineered in vitro models based on cell culture systems combined with microfluidic platforms (e.g. 'organ-on-a-chip' systems). We delve into the fundamental principles underlying these systems and review several applications of these platforms for the study of the CNS in health and disease. Our discussion further addresses the challenges that hinder the implementation of advanced in vitro platforms in personalized medicine or in large-scale industrial settings, and outlines the existing differentiation protocols and industrial cell sources. We conclude by providing practical guidelines for laboratories that are considering adopting organ-on-a-chip technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polyxeni Nikolakopoulou
- AIMES, Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rossana Rauti
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dimitrios Voulgaris
- Division of Micro and Nanosystems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Iftach Shlomy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ben M Maoz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Anna Herland
- AIMES, Center for the Advancement of Integrated Medical and Engineering Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Micro and Nanosystems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
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41
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Pradhan S, Banda OA, Farino CJ, Sperduto JL, Keller KA, Taitano R, Slater JH. Biofabrication Strategies and Engineered In Vitro Systems for Vascular Mechanobiology. Adv Healthc Mater 2020; 9:e1901255. [PMID: 32100473 PMCID: PMC8579513 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201901255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The vascular system is integral for maintaining organ-specific functions and homeostasis. Dysregulation in vascular architecture and function can lead to various chronic or acute disorders. Investigation of the role of the vascular system in health and disease has been accelerated through the development of tissue-engineered constructs and microphysiological on-chip platforms. These in vitro systems permit studies of biochemical regulation of vascular networks and parenchymal tissue and provide mechanistic insights into the biophysical and hemodynamic forces acting in organ-specific niches. Detailed understanding of these forces and the mechanotransductory pathways involved is necessary to develop preventative and therapeutic strategies targeting the vascular system. This review describes vascular structure and function, the role of hemodynamic forces in maintaining vascular homeostasis, and measurement approaches for cell and tissue level mechanical properties influencing vascular phenomena. State-of-the-art techniques for fabricating in vitro microvascular systems, with varying degrees of biological and engineering complexity, are summarized. Finally, the role of vascular mechanobiology in organ-specific niches and pathophysiological states, and efforts to recapitulate these events using in vitro microphysiological systems, are explored. It is hoped that this review will help readers appreciate the important, but understudied, role of vascular-parenchymal mechanotransduction in health and disease toward developing mechanotherapeutics for treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shantanu Pradhan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - Omar A. Banda
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Cindy J. Farino
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - John L. Sperduto
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Keely A. Keller
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Ryan Taitano
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - John H. Slater
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 150 Academy Street, 161 Colburn Lab, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, 201 DuPont Hall, Newark, DE 19716, USA
- Delaware Biotechnology Institute, 15 Innovation Way, Newark, DE 19711, USA
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Follain G, Herrmann D, Harlepp S, Hyenne V, Osmani N, Warren SC, Timpson P, Goetz JG. Fluids and their mechanics in tumour transit: shaping metastasis. Nat Rev Cancer 2020; 20:107-124. [PMID: 31780785 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-019-0221-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 210] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Metastasis is a dynamic succession of events involving the dissemination of tumour cells to distant sites within the body, ultimately reducing the survival of patients with cancer. To colonize distant organs and, therefore, systemically disseminate within the organism, cancer cells and associated factors exploit several bodily fluid systems, which provide a natural transportation route. Indeed, the flow mechanics of the blood and lymphatic circulatory systems can be co-opted to improve the efficiency of cancer cell transit from the primary tumour, extravasation and metastatic seeding. Flow rates, vessel size and shear stress can all influence the survival of cancer cells in the circulation and control organotropic seeding patterns. Thus, in addition to using these fluids as a means to travel throughout the body, cancer cells exploit the underlying physical forces within these fluids to successfully seed distant metastases. In this Review, we describe how circulating tumour cells and tumour-associated factors leverage bodily fluids, their underlying forces and imposed stresses during metastasis. As the contribution of bodily fluids and their mechanics raises interesting questions about the biology of the metastatic cascade, an improved understanding of this process might provide a new avenue for targeting cancer cells in transit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gautier Follain
- INSERM UMR_S1109, Tumor Biomechanics, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Strasbourg, France
| | - David Herrmann
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- St. Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sébastien Harlepp
- INSERM UMR_S1109, Tumor Biomechanics, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Strasbourg, France
| | - Vincent Hyenne
- INSERM UMR_S1109, Tumor Biomechanics, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Strasbourg, France
- CNRS SNC 505, Strasbourg, France
| | - Naël Osmani
- INSERM UMR_S1109, Tumor Biomechanics, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Strasbourg, France
| | - Sean C Warren
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- St. Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Paul Timpson
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
- St. Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Jacky G Goetz
- INSERM UMR_S1109, Tumor Biomechanics, Strasbourg, France.
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
- Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Strasbourg, France.
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Musafargani S, Mishra S, Gulyás M, Mahalakshmi P, Archunan G, Padmanabhan P, Gulyás B. Blood brain barrier: A tissue engineered microfluidic chip. J Neurosci Methods 2020; 331:108525. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2019.108525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Tjakra M, Wang Y, Vania V, Hou Z, Durkan C, Wang N, Wang G. Overview of Crosstalk Between Multiple Factor of Transcytosis in Blood Brain Barrier. Front Neurosci 2020; 13:1436. [PMID: 32038141 PMCID: PMC6990130 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.01436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood brain barrier (BBB) conserves unique regulatory system to maintain barrier tightness while allowing adequate transport between neurovascular units. This mechanism possess a challenge for drug delivery, while abnormality may result in pathogenesis. Communication between vascular and neural system is mediated through paracellular and transcellular (transcytosis) pathway. Transcytosis itself showed dependency with various components, focusing on caveolae-mediated. Among several factors, intense communication between endothelial cells, pericytes, and astrocytes is the key for a normal development. Regulatory signaling pathway such as VEGF, Notch, S1P, PDGFβ, Ang/Tie, and TGF-β showed interaction with the transcytosis steps. Recent discoveries showed exploration of various factors which has been proven to interact with one of the process of transcytosis, either endocytosis, endosomal rearrangement, or exocytosis. As well as providing a hypothetical regulatory pathway between each factors, specifically miRNA, mechanical stress, various cytokines, physicochemical, basement membrane and junctions remodeling, and crosstalk between developmental regulatory pathways. Finally, various hypotheses and probable crosstalk between each factors will be expressed, to point out relevant research application (Drug therapy design and BBB-on-a-chip) and unexplored terrain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Tjakra
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yeqi Wang
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Vicki Vania
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhengjun Hou
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Colm Durkan
- The Nanoscience Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Nan Wang
- The Nanoscience Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Guixue Wang
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
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Bulboacă AE, Boarescu PM, Melincovici CS, Mihu CM. Microfluidic endothelium-on-a-chip development, from in vivo to in vitro experimental models. ROMANIAN JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY AND EMBRYOLOGY = REVUE ROUMAINE DE MORPHOLOGIE ET EMBRYOLOGIE 2020; 61:15-23. [PMID: 32747891 PMCID: PMC7728109 DOI: 10.47162/rjme.61.1.02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
In the last years, animal testing in medical research has been a controversial topic because of various reasons, such as ethical considerations and species differences. Therefore, more attention has been given to develop new technologies that can replace animal experiments and create in vitro models. Organ-on-a-chip (OOC) technology is a new and advanced technology based on microfluidic devices that can mimic the structure and function of entire organs and tissues as in vitro models. OOC models are miniature tissues and organs that assign characteristics for three-dimensional (3D) cell culture representation that resemble the original organs, together with their specific microenvironment microfluidic systems and specific biophysical processes, in order to mimic the normal physiological conditions and functionalities of the organs. Existing OOC models, such as liver, pancreas, heart, skin, brain, kidney, vessels, have been developed and designed for a specific function study. This review focuses on the main knowledge concerning OOC research and especially vascular endothelium-on-a-chip (EOC) model, developed in order to offer specific tools for studying vascular functions in physiological and pathological conditions. The field of OOC devices is still at the beginning, but in the future, this technology may have important roles in developing novel therapeutic approaches, offering new therapeutic molecules and providing the first step towards personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Elena Bulboacă
- Discipline of Histology, Department of Morphological Sciences, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
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A Reconfigurable In Vitro Model for Studying the Blood-Brain Barrier. Ann Biomed Eng 2019; 48:780-793. [PMID: 31741228 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-019-02405-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Much of what is currently known about the role of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in regulating the passage of chemicals from the blood stream to the central nervous system (CNS) comes from animal in vivo models (requiring extrapolation to human relevance) and 2D static in vitro systems, which fail to capture the rich cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions of the dynamic 3D in vivo tissue microenvironment. In this work we have developed a BBB platform that allows for a high degree of customization in cellular composition, cellular orientation, and physiologically-relevant fluid dynamics. The system characterized and presented in this study reproduces key characteristics of a BBB model (e.g. tight junctions, efflux pumps) allowing for the formation of a selective and functional barrier. We demonstrate that our in vitro BBB is responsive to both biochemical and mechanical cues. This model further allows for culture of a CNS-like space around the BBB. The design of this platform is a valuable tool for studying BBB function as well as for screening of novel therapeutics.
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Motallebnejad P, Thomas A, Swisher SL, Azarin SM. An isogenic hiPSC-derived BBB-on-a-chip. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2019; 13:064119. [PMID: 31768205 PMCID: PMC6874510 DOI: 10.1063/1.5123476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is composed of brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) that regulate brain homeostasis, and astrocytes within the brain are involved in the maintenance of the BBB or modulation of its integrity in disease states via secreted factors. A major challenge in modeling the normal or diseased BBB is that conventional in vitro models lack either the physiological complexity of the BBB or key functional features such as formation of a sufficiently tight barrier. In this study, we utilized human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived BMECs in a BBB-on-a-chip device that supports flow and coculture with an astrocyte-laden 3D hydrogel. The BMECs are separated from the hydrogel by a porous membrane with either 0.4 or 8.0 μm pore size, making the device suitable for studying the transport of molecules or cells, respectively, across the BBB. In addition, all cells seeded in the device are differentiated from the same hiPSC line, which could enable genetic and rare disease modeling. Formation of a confluent BMEC barrier was confirmed by immunocytochemistry of tight junction proteins and measurement of fluorescein permeability. Integrity of the barrier was further assessed by performing impedance spectroscopy in the device. Finally, the ability of this device to recapitulate a disease model of BBB disruption was demonstrated, with apical addition of TGF-β1 leading to transendothelial electrical resistance reduction and indicators of astrocyte activation. These results demonstrate the utility of the fabricated device for a broad range of applications such as drug screening and mechanistic studies of BBB disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedram Motallebnejad
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
| | - Andrew Thomas
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
| | - Sarah L. Swisher
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
| | - Samira M. Azarin
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA
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48
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Ferreira L. What human blood-brain barrier models can tell us about BBB function and drug discovery? Expert Opin Drug Discov 2019; 14:1113-1123. [DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2019.1646722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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Wu D, Birukov K. Endothelial Cell Mechano-Metabolomic Coupling to Disease States in the Lung Microvasculature. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2019; 7:172. [PMID: 31380363 PMCID: PMC6658821 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2019.00172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Lungs are the most vascular part of humans, accepting the totality of cardiac output in a volume much smaller than the body itself. Due to this cardiac output, the lung microvasculature is subject to mechanical forces including shear stress and cyclic stretch that vary with the cardiac and breathing cycle. Vessels are surrounded by extracellular matrix which dictates the stiffness which endothelial cells also sense and respond to. Shear stress, stiffness, and cyclic stretch are known to influence endothelial cell state. At high shear stress, endothelial cells exhibit cell quiescence marked by low inflammatory markers and high nitric oxide synthesis, whereas at low shear stress, endothelial cells are thought to "activate" into a pro-inflammatory state and have low nitric oxide. Shear stress' profound effect on vascular phenotype is most apparent in the arterial vasculature and in the pathophysiology of vascular inflammation. To conduct the flow of blood from the right heart, the lung microvasculature must be rigid yet compliant. It turns out that excessive substrate rigidity or stiffness is important in the development of pulmonary hypertension and chronic fibrosing lung diseases via excessive cell proliferation or the endothelial-mesenchymal transition. Recently, a new body of literature has evolved that couples mechanical sensing to endothelial phenotypic changes through metabolic signaling in clinically relevant contexts such as pulmonary hypertension, lung injury syndromes, as well as fibrosis, which is the focus of this review. Stretch, like flow, has profound effect on endothelial phenotype; metabolism studies due to stretch are in their infancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Wu
- Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Konstantin Birukov
- Department of Anesthesia, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
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50
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Brown TD, Nowak M, Bayles AV, Prabhakarpandian B, Karande P, Lahann J, Helgeson ME, Mitragotri S. A microfluidic model of human brain (μHuB) for assessment of blood brain barrier. Bioeng Transl Med 2019; 4:e10126. [PMID: 31249876 PMCID: PMC6584314 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Microfluidic cellular models, commonly referred to as "organs-on-chips," continue to advance the field of bioengineering via the development of accurate and higher throughput models, captivating the essence of living human organs. This class of models can mimic key in vivo features, including shear stresses and cellular architectures, in ways that cannot be realized by traditional two-dimensional in vitro models. Despite such progress, current organ-on-a-chip models are often overly complex, require highly specialized setups and equipment, and lack the ability to easily ascertain temporal and spatial differences in the transport kinetics of compounds translocating across cellular barriers. To address this challenge, we report the development of a three-dimensional human blood brain barrier (BBB) microfluidic model (μHuB) using human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3) and primary human astrocytes within a commercially available microfluidic platform. Within μHuB, hCMEC/D3 monolayers withstood physiologically relevant shear stresses (2.73 dyn/cm2) over a period of 24 hr and formed a complete inner lumen, resembling in vivo blood capillaries. Monolayers within μHuB expressed phenotypical tight junction markers (Claudin-5 and ZO-1), which increased expression after the presence of hemodynamic-like shear stress. Negligible cell injury was observed when the monolayers were cultured statically, conditioned to shear stress, and subjected to nonfluorescent dextran (70 kDa) transport studies. μHuB experienced size-selective permeability of 10 and 70 kDa dextrans similar to other BBB models. However, with the ability to probe temporal and spatial evolution of solute distribution, μHuBs possess the ability to capture the true variability in permeability across a cellular monolayer over time and allow for evaluation of the full breadth of permeabilities that would otherwise be lost using traditional end-point sampling techniques. Overall, the μHuB platform provides a simplified, easy-to-use model to further investigate the complexities of the human BBB in real-time and can be readily adapted to incorporate additional cell types of the neurovascular unit and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler D Brown
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Harvard University, 29 Oxford St. Cambridge MA 02138
- Wyss Institute of Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University 3 Blackfan Circle, Boston MA 02115
| | - Maksymilian Nowak
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Harvard University, 29 Oxford St. Cambridge MA 02138
- Wyss Institute of Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University 3 Blackfan Circle, Boston MA 02115
| | - Alexandra V Bayles
- Dept. of Chemical Engineering University of California Santa Barbara CA 93106
| | | | - Pankaj Karande
- Dept. of Chemical and Biological Engineering Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 110 8th Street, Troy NY 12180
| | - Joerg Lahann
- Dept. of Chemical Engineering University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI 48109
- Dept. of Material Science & Engineering University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI 48109
- Dept. of Macromolecular Science & Engineering University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI 48109
- Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, and Biointerfaces Institute University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI 48109
- Biointerfaces Institute University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI 48109
| | - Matthew E Helgeson
- Dept. of Chemical Engineering University of California Santa Barbara CA 93106
| | - Samir Mitragotri
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Harvard University, 29 Oxford St. Cambridge MA 02138
- Wyss Institute of Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University 3 Blackfan Circle, Boston MA 02115
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