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Majid QA, Ghimire BR, Merkely B, Randi AM, Harding SE, Talman V, Földes G. Generation and characterisation of scalable and stable human pluripotent stem cell-derived microvascular-like endothelial cells for cardiac applications. Angiogenesis 2024; 27:561-582. [PMID: 38775849 PMCID: PMC11303486 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-024-09929-5] [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: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Coronary microvascular disease (CMD) and its progression towards major adverse coronary events pose a significant health challenge. Accurate in vitro investigation of CMD requires a robust cell model that faithfully represents the cells within the cardiac microvasculature. Human pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells (hPSC-ECs) offer great potential; however, they are traditionally derived via differentiation protocols that are not readily scalable and are not specified towards the microvasculature. Here, we report the development and comprehensive characterisation of a scalable 3D protocol enabling the generation of phenotypically stable cardiac hPSC-microvascular-like ECs (hPSC-CMVECs) and cardiac pericyte-like cells. These were derived by growing vascular organoids within 3D stirred tank bioreactors and subjecting the emerging 3D hPSC-ECs to high-concentration VEGF-A treatment (3DV). Not only did this promote phenotypic stability of the 3DV hPSC-ECs; single cell-RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) revealed the pronounced expression of cardiac endothelial- and microvascular-associated genes. Further, the generated mural cells attained from the vascular organoid exhibited markers characteristic of cardiac pericytes. Thus, we present a suitable cell model for investigating the cardiac microvasculature as well as the endothelial-dependent and -independent mechanisms of CMD. Moreover, owing to their phenotypic stability, cardiac specificity, and high angiogenic potential, the cells described within would also be well suited for cardiac tissue engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qasim A Majid
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
- Drug Research Programme, Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Bishwa R Ghimire
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- MediCity Research Laboratory, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Bela Merkely
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68 Varosmajor Street, Budapest, H1122, Hungary
| | - Anna M Randi
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Sian E Harding
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Virpi Talman
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK
- Drug Research Programme, Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Gábor Földes
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, UK.
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, 68 Varosmajor Street, Budapest, H1122, Hungary.
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2
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Inoue Y, Ren Y, Zhang S, Bamkole M, Islam NN, Selvaraj M, Lu W, Caulfield TR, Li Y, Kanekiyo T. A novel histone deacetylase inhibitor W2A-16 improves the barrier integrity in brain vascular endothelial cells. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1368018. [PMID: 39100897 PMCID: PMC11294206 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1368018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The maturation of brain microvascular endothelial cells leads to the formation of a tightly sealed monolayer, known as the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The BBB damage is associated with the pathogenesis of age-related neurodegenerative diseases including vascular cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. Growing knowledge in the field of epigenetics can enhance the understanding of molecular profile of the BBB and has great potential for the development of novel therapeutic strategies or targets to repair a disrupted BBB. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) inhibitors are epigenetic regulators that can induce acetylation of histones and induce open chromatin conformation, promoting gene expression by enhancing the binding of DNA with transcription factors. We investigated how HDAC inhibition influences the barrier integrity using immortalized human endothelial cells (HCMEC/D3) and the human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived brain vascular endothelial cells. The endothelial cells were treated with or without a novel compound named W2A-16. W2A-16 not only activates Wnt/β-catenin signaling but also functions as a class I HDAC inhibitor. We demonstrated that the administration with W2A-16 sustained barrier properties of the monolayer of endothelial cells, as evidenced by increased trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER). The BBB-related genes and protein expression were also increased compared with non-treated controls. Analysis of transcript profiles through RNA-sequencing in hCMEC/D3 cells indicated that W2A-16 potentially enhances BBB integrity by influencing genes associated with the regulation of the extracellular microenvironment. These findings collectively propose that the HDAC inhibition by W2A-16 plays a facilitating role in the formation of the BBB. Pharmacological approaches to inhibit HDAC may be a potential therapeutic strategy to boost and/or restore BBB integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuteru Inoue
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Yingxue Ren
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Shuwen Zhang
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Michael Bamkole
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Naeyma N. Islam
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | | | - Wenyan Lu
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
- Center for Regenerative Biotherapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | | | - Yonghe Li
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Takahisa Kanekiyo
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
- Center for Regenerative Biotherapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
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3
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Lee VK, Tejero R, Silvia N, Sattiraju A, Ramakrishnan A, Shen L, Wojcinski A, Kesari S, Friedel RH, Zou H, Dai G. 3D Brain Vascular Niche Model Captures Invasive Behavior and Gene Signatures of Glioblastoma. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.09.601756. [PMID: 39026692 PMCID: PMC11257506 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.09.601756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a lethal brain cancer with no effective treatment; understanding how GBM cells respond to tumor microenvironment remains challenging as conventional cell cultures lack proper cytoarchitecture while in vivo animal models present complexity all at once. Developing a culture system to bridge the gap is thus crucial. Here, we employed a multicellular approach using human glia and vascular cells to optimize a 3-dimensional (3D) brain vascular niche model that enabled not only long-term culture of patient derived GBM cells but also recapitulation of key features of GBM heterogeneity, in particular invasion behavior and vascular association. Comparative transcriptomics of identical patient derived GBM cells in 3D and in vivo xenotransplants models revealed that glia-vascular contact induced genes concerning neural/glia development, synaptic regulation, as well as immune suppression. This gene signature displayed region specific enrichment in the leading edge and microvascular proliferation zones in human GBM and predicted poor prognosis. Gene variance analysis also uncovered histone demethylation and xylosyltransferase activity as main themes for gene adaption of GBM cells in vivo . Furthermore, our 3D model also demonstrated the capacity to provide a quiescence and a protective niche against chemotherapy. In summary, an advanced 3D brain vascular model can bridge the gap between 2D cultures and in vivo models in capturing key features of GBM heterogeneity and unveil previously unrecognized influence of glia-vascular contact for transcriptional adaption in GBM cells featuring neural/synaptic interaction and immunosuppression.
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4
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Lamson NG, Pickering AJ, Wyckoff J, Ganesh P, Calle EA, Straehla JP, Hammond PT. Trafficking through the blood-brain barrier is directed by core and outer surface components of layer-by-layer nanoparticles. Bioeng Transl Med 2024; 9:e10636. [PMID: 39036092 PMCID: PMC11256136 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Drug-carrying nanoparticles are a promising strategy to deliver therapeutics into the brain, but their translation requires better characterization of interactions between nanomaterials and endothelial cells of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Here, we use a library of 18 layer-by-layer electrostatically assembled nanoparticles (NPs) to independently assess the impact of NP core and surface materials on in vitro uptake, transport, and intracellular trafficking in brain endothelial cells. We demonstrate that NP core stiffness determines the magnitude of transport, while surface chemistry directs intracellular trafficking. Finally, we demonstrate that these factors similarly dictate in vivo BBB transport using intravital imaging through cranial windows in mice. We identify that hyaluronic acid surface chemistry increases transport across the BBB in vivo, and flow conditions are necessary to replicate this finding in vitro. Taken together, these findings highlight the importance of assay geometry, cell biology, and fluid flow in developing nanocarriers for delivery to the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas G. Lamson
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Andrew J. Pickering
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Chemical EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Jeffrey Wyckoff
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Priya Ganesh
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Materials Science and EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Elizabeth A. Calle
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
- Department of SurgeryMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Joelle P. Straehla
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Pediatric OncologyDana‐Farber Cancer InstituteBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/OncologyBoston Children's HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Paula T. Hammond
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Chemical EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
- Broad Institute of MIT and HarvardCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
- Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
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5
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Porkoláb G, Mészáros M, Szecskó A, Vigh JP, Walter FR, Figueiredo R, Kálomista I, Hoyk Z, Vizsnyiczai G, Gróf I, Jan JS, Gosselet F, Pirity MK, Vastag M, Hudson N, Campbell M, Veszelka S, Deli MA. Synergistic induction of blood-brain barrier properties. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2316006121. [PMID: 38748577 PMCID: PMC11126970 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2316006121] [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: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Blood-brain barrier (BBB) models derived from human stem cells are powerful tools to improve our understanding of cerebrovascular diseases and to facilitate drug development for the human brain. Yet providing stem cell-derived endothelial cells with the right signaling cues to acquire BBB characteristics while also retaining their vascular identity remains challenging. Here, we show that the simultaneous activation of cyclic AMP and Wnt/β-catenin signaling and inhibition of the TGF-β pathway in endothelial cells robustly induce BBB properties in vitro. To target this interaction, we present a small-molecule cocktail named cARLA, which synergistically enhances barrier tightness in a range of BBB models across species. Mechanistically, we reveal that the three pathways converge on Wnt/β-catenin signaling to mediate the effect of cARLA via the tight junction protein claudin-5. We demonstrate that cARLA shifts the gene expressional profile of human stem cell-derived endothelial cells toward the in vivo brain endothelial signature, with a higher glycocalyx density and efflux pump activity, lower rates of endocytosis, and a characteristic endothelial response to proinflammatory cytokines. Finally, we illustrate how cARLA can improve the predictive value of human BBB models regarding the brain penetration of drugs and targeted nanoparticles. Due to its synergistic effect, high reproducibility, and ease of use, cARLA has the potential to advance drug development for the human brain by improving BBB models across laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gergő Porkoláb
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Research Network, SzegedH-6726, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Biology, University of Szeged, SzegedH-6720, Hungary
| | - Mária Mészáros
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Research Network, SzegedH-6726, Hungary
| | - Anikó Szecskó
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Research Network, SzegedH-6726, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Biology, University of Szeged, SzegedH-6720, Hungary
| | - Judit P. Vigh
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Research Network, SzegedH-6726, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Biology, University of Szeged, SzegedH-6720, Hungary
| | - Fruzsina R. Walter
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Research Network, SzegedH-6726, Hungary
| | | | - Ildikó Kálomista
- In Vitro Metabolism Laboratory, Gedeon Richter, BudapestH-1103, Hungary
| | - Zsófia Hoyk
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Research Network, SzegedH-6726, Hungary
| | - Gaszton Vizsnyiczai
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Research Network, SzegedH-6726, Hungary
| | - Ilona Gróf
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Research Network, SzegedH-6726, Hungary
| | - Jeng-Shiung Jan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan70101, Taiwan
| | - Fabien Gosselet
- Laboratoire de la Barriére Hémato-Encéphalique, Université d’Artois, Lens62307, France
| | - Melinda K. Pirity
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Research Network, SzegedH-6726, Hungary
| | - Monika Vastag
- In Vitro Metabolism Laboratory, Gedeon Richter, BudapestH-1103, Hungary
| | - Natalie Hudson
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, DublinD02 VF25, Ireland
| | - Matthew Campbell
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, DublinD02 VF25, Ireland
| | - Szilvia Veszelka
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Research Network, SzegedH-6726, Hungary
| | - Mária A. Deli
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Research Network, SzegedH-6726, Hungary
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6
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Deli MA, Porkoláb G, Kincses A, Mészáros M, Szecskó A, Kocsis AE, Vigh JP, Valkai S, Veszelka S, Walter FR, Dér A. Lab-on-a-chip models of the blood-brain barrier: evolution, problems, perspectives. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:1030-1063. [PMID: 38353254 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00996c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
A great progress has been made in the development and use of lab-on-a-chip devices to model and study the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in the last decade. We present the main types of BBB-on-chip models and their use for the investigation of BBB physiology, drug and nanoparticle transport, toxicology and pathology. The selection of the appropriate cell types to be integrated into BBB-on-chip devices is discussed, as this greatly impacts the physiological relevance and translatability of findings. We identify knowledge gaps, neglected engineering and cell biological aspects and point out problems and contradictions in the literature of BBB-on-chip models, and suggest areas for further studies to progress this highly interdisciplinary field. BBB-on-chip models have an exceptional potential as predictive tools and alternatives of animal experiments in basic and preclinical research. To exploit the full potential of this technique expertise from materials science, bioengineering as well as stem cell and vascular/BBB biology is necessary. There is a need for better integration of these diverse disciplines that can only be achieved by setting clear parameters for characterizing both the chip and the BBB model parts technically and functionally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mária A Deli
- HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Gergő Porkoláb
- HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, Szeged, Hungary.
- Doctoral School of Biology, University of Szeged, Hungary
| | - András Kincses
- HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Mária Mészáros
- HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Anikó Szecskó
- HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, Szeged, Hungary.
- Doctoral School of Biology, University of Szeged, Hungary
| | - Anna E Kocsis
- HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Judit P Vigh
- HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, Szeged, Hungary.
- Doctoral School of Biology, University of Szeged, Hungary
| | - Sándor Valkai
- HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Szilvia Veszelka
- HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Fruzsina R Walter
- HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - András Dér
- HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Institute of Biophysics, Szeged, Hungary.
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7
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Vollmuth N, Sin J, Kim BJ. Host-microbe interactions at the blood-brain barrier through the lens of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived brain-like endothelial cells. mBio 2024; 15:e0286223. [PMID: 38193670 PMCID: PMC10865987 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02862-23] [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] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbe-induced meningoencephalitis/meningitis is a life-threatening infection of the central nervous system (CNS) that occurs when pathogens are able to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and gain access to the CNS. The BBB consists of highly specialized brain endothelial cells that exhibit specific properties to allow tight regulation of CNS homeostasis and prevent pathogen crossing. However, during meningoencephalitis/meningitis, the BBB fails to protect the CNS. Modeling the BBB remains a challenge due to the specialized characteristics of these cells. In this review, we cover the induced pluripotent stem cell-derived, brain-like endothelial cell model during host-pathogen interaction, highlighting the strengths and recent work on various pathogens known to interact with the BBB. As stem cell technologies are becoming more prominent, the stem cell-derived, brain-like endothelial cell model has been able to reveal new insights in vitro, which remain challenging with other in vitro cell-based models consisting of primary human brain endothelial cells and immortalized human brain endothelial cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Vollmuth
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
| | - Jon Sin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
| | - Brandon J. Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Center for Convergent Biosciences and Medicine, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
- Alabama Life Research Institute, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
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8
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Salmina AB, Alexandrova OP, Averchuk AS, Korsakova SA, Saridis MR, Illarioshkin SN, Yurchenko SO. Current progress and challenges in the development of brain tissue models: How to grow up the changeable brain in vitro? J Tissue Eng 2024; 15:20417314241235527. [PMID: 38516227 PMCID: PMC10956167 DOI: 10.1177/20417314241235527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
In vitro modeling of brain tissue is a promising but not yet resolved problem in modern neurobiology and neuropharmacology. Complexity of the brain structure and diversity of cell-to-cell communication in (patho)physiological conditions make this task almost unachievable. However, establishment of novel in vitro brain models would ultimately lead to better understanding of development-associated or experience-driven brain plasticity, designing efficient approaches to restore aberrant brain functioning. The main goal of this review is to summarize the available data on methodological approaches that are currently in use, and to identify the most prospective trends in development of neurovascular unit, blood-brain barrier, blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier, and neurogenic niche in vitro models. The manuscript focuses on the regulation of adult neurogenesis, cerebral microcirculation and fluids dynamics that should be reproduced in the in vitro 4D models to mimic brain development and its alterations in brain pathology. We discuss approaches that are critical for studying brain plasticity, deciphering the individual person-specific trajectory of brain development and aging, and testing new drug candidates in the in vitro models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alla B Salmina
- Brain Science Institute, Research Center of Neurology, Moscow, Russia
- Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga P Alexandrova
- Brain Science Institute, Research Center of Neurology, Moscow, Russia
- Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anton S Averchuk
- Brain Science Institute, Research Center of Neurology, Moscow, Russia
- Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Moscow, Russia
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9
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Holst MR, de Wit NM, Ozgür B, Brachner A, Hyldig K, Appelt-Menzel A, Sleven H, Cader Z, de Vries HE, Neuhaus W, Jensen A, Brodin B, Nielsen MS. Subcellular trafficking and transcytosis efficacy of different receptor types for therapeutic antibody delivery at the blood‒brain barrier. Fluids Barriers CNS 2023; 20:82. [PMID: 37932749 PMCID: PMC10626680 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-023-00480-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we report an experimental setup to benchmark different receptors for targeted therapeutic antibody delivery at the blood-brain barrier. We used brain capillary endothelial-like cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC-BECs) as a model system and compared them to colon epithelial Caco-2 cells. This approach helped to identify favourable receptors for transport into the cell layer itself or for directing transport for transcytosis across the cell layer. The sorting receptors transferrin receptor and sortilin were shown to be efficient as antibody cargo receptors for intracellular delivery to the cell layer. In contrast, the cell surface receptors CD133 and podocalyxin were identified as static and inefficient receptors for delivering cargo antibodies. Similar to in vivo studies, the hiPSC-BECs maintained detectable transcytotic transport via transferrin receptor, while transcytosis was restricted using sortilin as a cargo receptor. Based on these findings, we propose the application of sortilin as a cargo receptor for delivering therapeutic antibodies into the brain microvascular endothelium.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nienke Marije de Wit
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Burak Ozgür
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Biotherapeutic Discovery, H. Lundbeck A/S, Valby, 2500, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andreas Brachner
- AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Competence Unit Molecular Diagnostics, Centre for Health and Bioresources, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kathrine Hyldig
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Biotherapeutic Discovery, H. Lundbeck A/S, Valby, 2500, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Antje Appelt-Menzel
- Chair Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (TERM), University Hospital Würzburg, Röntgenring 11, Würzburg, Germany
- Translational Center Regenerative Therapies (TLC-RT), Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC, Röntgenring 12, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Hannah Sleven
- Translational Molecular Neuroscience Group, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Zameel Cader
- Translational Molecular Neuroscience Group, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Helga Eveline de Vries
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Winfried Neuhaus
- AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Competence Unit Molecular Diagnostics, Centre for Health and Bioresources, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Medicine, Faculty Medicine and Dentistry, Private Danube University, 3500, Krems, Austria
| | - Allan Jensen
- Biotherapeutic Discovery, H. Lundbeck A/S, Valby, 2500, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Birger Brodin
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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10
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Linville RM, Maressa J, Guo Z, Chung TD, Farrell A, Jha R, Searson PC. A tissue-engineered model of the blood-tumor barrier during metastatic breast cancer. Fluids Barriers CNS 2023; 20:80. [PMID: 37924145 PMCID: PMC10623725 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-023-00482-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic brain cancer has poor prognosis due to challenges in both detection and treatment. One contributor to poor prognosis is the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which severely limits the transport of therapeutic agents to intracranial tumors. During the development of brain metastases from primary breast cancer, the BBB is modified and is termed the 'blood-tumor barrier' (BTB). A better understanding of the differences between the BBB and BTB across cancer types and stages may assist in identifying new therapeutic targets. Here, we utilize a tissue-engineered microvessel model with induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived brain microvascular endothelial-like cells (iBMECs) and surrounded by human breast metastatic cancer spheroids with brain tropism. We directly compare BBB and BTB in vitro microvessels to unravel both physical and chemical interactions occurring during perivascular cancer growth. We determine the dynamics of vascular co-option by cancer cells, modes of vascular degeneration, and quantify the endothelial barrier to antibody transport. Additionally, using bulk RNA sequencing, ELISA of microvessel perfusates, and related functional assays, we probe early brain endothelial changes in the presence of cancer cells. We find that immune cell adhesion and endothelial turnover are elevated within the metastatic BTB, and that macrophages exert a unique influence on BTB identity. Our model provides a novel three-dimensional system to study mechanisms of cancer-vascular-immune interactions and drug delivery occurring within the BTB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raleigh M Linville
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 100 Croft Hall, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joanna Maressa
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 100 Croft Hall, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Zhaobin Guo
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 100 Croft Hall, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Tracy D Chung
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 100 Croft Hall, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alanna Farrell
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 100 Croft Hall, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Ria Jha
- Institute for Nanobiotechnology, Johns Hopkins University, 100 Croft Hall, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, 21218, 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, 21218, 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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11
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Murphy AR, Allenby MC. In vitro microvascular engineering approaches and strategies for interstitial tissue integration. Acta Biomater 2023; 171:114-130. [PMID: 37717711 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
The increasing gap between clinical demand for tissue or organ transplants and the availability of donated tissue highlights the emerging opportunities for lab-grown or synthetically engineered tissue. While the field of tissue engineering has existed for nearly half a century, its clinical translation remains unrealised, in part, due to a limited ability to engineer sufficient vascular supply into fabricated tissue, which is necessary to enable nutrient and waste exchange, prevent cellular necrosis, and support tissue proliferation. Techniques to develop anatomically relevant, functional vascular networks in vitro have made significant progress in the last decade, however, the challenge now remains as to how best incorporate these throughout dense parenchymal tissue-like structures to address diffusion-limited development and allow for the fabrication of large-scale vascularised tissue. This review explores advances made in the laboratory engineering of vasculature structures and summarises recent attempts to integrate vascular networks together with sophisticated in vitro avascular tissue and organ-like structures. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The ability to grow full scale, functional tissue and organs in vitro is primarily limited by an inability to adequately diffuse oxygen and nutrients throughout developing cellularised structures, which generally results from the absence of perfusable vessel networks. Techniques to engineering both perfusable vascular networks and avascular miniaturised organ-like structures have recently increased in complexity, sophistication, and physiological relevance. However, integrating these two essential elements into a single functioning vascularised tissue structure represents a significant spatial and temporal engineering challenge which is yet to be surmounted. Here, we explore a range of vessel morphogenic phenomena essential for tissue-vascular co-development, as well as evaluate a range of recent noteworthy approaches for generating vascularised tissue products in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R Murphy
- School of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4100, Australia
| | - M C Allenby
- School of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4100, Australia; Centre for Biomedical Technologies, School of Medical, Mechanical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia.
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12
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Chen L, Zhen Y, Wang X, Wang J, Zhu G. Neurovascular glial unit: A target of phytotherapy for cognitive impairments. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 119:155009. [PMID: 37573807 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.155009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurovascular glial unit (NVGU) dysfunction has been reported to be an early and critical event in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VD). Although herbal medicines, with their favorable safety profiles and low adverse effects, have been suggested to be useful for the treatment of cognitive impairment, the potential role of the NVGU as the target of the effects of herbal medicines is still unclear. PURPOSE This review aimed to retrieve evidence from experimental studies of phytopharmaceuticals targeting the NVGU for the treatment of cognitive impairment in AD and VD, and discussed the potential of phytopharmaceuticals to improve cognitive impairment from the perspective of the NVGU. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS We systematically searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and CNKI. The keywords used for searching information on the NVGU in the treatment of cognitive impairments included "Alzheimer's disease," "Vascular dementia," "Herbal medicines," "Natural products," "Neurovascular," "Adverse reaction," and "Toxicity, etc." We selected studies on the basis of predefined eligibility criteria. RESULTS NVGU mainly consists of endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes, and neurons, and damage to these cells can induce cognitive impairment by impairing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) as well as neuronal function. The active components of herbal medicines, including Ginkgo biloba L., Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Epimedium Folium, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Carthami flos, and Acorus tatarinowii Schott, as well as traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions have shown the potential to improve BBB function and increase CBF to prevent cognitive impairment by inhibiting astrocyte and microglia activation, protecting oligodendrocyte myelin function, reducing neuronal apoptosis, and promoting angiogenesis. CONCLUSIONS Herbal medicines demonstrate great potential to prevent cognitive impairment. Multiple components from herbal medicines may function through different signaling pathways to target the NVGU. Future studies using novel drug-carrier or delivery systems targeting the NVGU will certainly facilitate the development of phytopharmaceuticals for AD and VD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixia Chen
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, the Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Brain diseases), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
| | - Yilan Zhen
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, the Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Brain diseases), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
| | - Xuncui Wang
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, the Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Brain diseases), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
| | - Jingji Wang
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, the Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Brain diseases), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China; The Second Affiliation Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230061, China.
| | - Guoqi Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, the Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Brain diseases), Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China.
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13
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Sullivan MA, Lane S, Volkerling A, Engel M, Werry EL, Kassiou M. Three-dimensional bioprinting of stem cell-derived central nervous system cells enables astrocyte growth, vasculogenesis, and enhances neural differentiation/function. Biotechnol Bioeng 2023; 120:3079-3091. [PMID: 37395340 PMCID: PMC10953436 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Current research tools for preclinical drug development such as rodent models and two-dimensional immortalized monocultures have failed to serve as effective translational models for human central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Recent advancements in the development of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and three-dimensional (3D) culturing can improve the in vivo-relevance of preclinical models, while generating 3D cultures though novel bioprinting technologies can offer increased scalability and replicability. As such, there is a need to develop platforms that combine iPSC-derived cells with 3D bioprinting to produce scalable, tunable, and biomimetic cultures for preclinical drug discovery applications. We report a biocompatible poly(ethylene glycol)-based matrix which incorporates Arg-Gly-Asp and Tyr-Ile-Gly-Ser-Arg peptide motifs and full-length collagen IV at a stiffness similar to the human brain (1.5 kPa). Using a high-throughput commercial bioprinter we report the viable culture and morphological development of monocultured iPSC-derived astrocytes, brain microvascular endothelial-like cells, neural progenitors, and neurons in our novel matrix. We also show that this system supports endothelial-like vasculogenesis and enhances neural differentiation and spontaneous activity. This platform forms a foundation for more complex, multicellular models to facilitate high-throughput translational drug discovery for CNS disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A. Sullivan
- School of Medical Sciences, The Faculty of Medicine and HealthThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Samuel Lane
- School of Chemistry, The Faculty of ScienceThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | | | - Martin Engel
- Inventia Life Science Operations Pty Ltd.AlexandriaNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Eryn L. Werry
- School of Chemistry, The Faculty of ScienceThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and HealthThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Michael Kassiou
- School of Chemistry, The Faculty of ScienceThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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14
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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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15
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Yau A, Jogdand A, Chen Y. Blood-brain-barrier modeling with tissue chips for research applications in space and on Earth. FRONTIERS IN SPACE TECHNOLOGIES 2023; 4:1176943. [PMID: 38915909 PMCID: PMC11195916 DOI: 10.3389/frspt.2023.1176943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Tissue chip technology has revolutionized biomedical applications and the medical science field for the past few decades. Currently, tissue chips are one of the most powerful research tools aiding in in vitro work to accurately predict the outcome of studies when compared to monolayer two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures. While 2D cell cultures held prominence for a long time, their lack of biomimicry has resulted in a transition to 3D cell cultures, including tissue chips technology, to overcome the discrepancies often seen in in vitro studies. Due to their wide range of applications, different organ systems have been studied over the years, one of which is the blood brain barrier (BBB) which is discussed in this review. The BBB is an incredible protective unit of the body, keeping out pathogens from entering the brain through vasculature. However, there are some microbes and certain diseases that disrupt the function of this barrier which can lead to detrimental outcomes. Over the past few years, various designs of the BBB have been proposed and modeled to study drug delivery and disease modeling on Earth. More recently, researchers have started to utilize tissue chips in space to study the effects of microgravity on human health. BBB tissue chips in space can be a tool to understand function mechanisms and therapeutics. This review addresses the limitations of monolayer cell culture which could be overcome with utilizing tissue chips technology. Current BBB models on Earth and how they are fabricated as well as what influences the BBB cell culture in tissue chips are discussed. Then, this article reviews how application of these technologies together with incorporating biosensors in space would be beneficial to help in predicting a more accurate physiological response in specific tissue or organ chips. Finally, the current platforms used in space and some solutions to overcome some shortcomings for future BBB tissue chip research are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yupeng Chen
- Nanomedicine Lab, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States
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16
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Granata A. Functional genomics in stroke: current and future applications of iPSCs and gene editing to dissect the function of risk variants. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2023; 23:223. [PMID: 37120540 PMCID: PMC10148993 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-023-03227-6] [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: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Stroke is an important disease with unmet clinical need. To uncover novel paths for treatment, it is of critical importance to develop relevant laboratory models that may help to shed light on the pathophysiological mechanisms of stroke. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) technology has enormous potential to advance our knowledge into stroke by creating novel human models for research and therapeutic testing. iPSCs models generated from patients with specific stroke types and specific genetic predisposition in combination with other state of art technologies including genome editing, multi-omics, 3D system, libraries screening, offer the opportunity to investigate disease-related pathways and identify potential novel therapeutic targets that can then be tested in these models. Thus, iPSCs offer an unprecedented opportunity to make rapid progress in the field of stroke and vascular dementia research leading to clinical translation. This review paper summarizes some of the key areas in which patient-derived iPSCs technology has been applied to disease modelling and discusses the ongoing challenges and the future directions for the application of this technology in the field of stroke research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Granata
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart & Lung Research Institute, Papworth Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0BB, UK.
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17
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Pais TF, Penha-Gonçalves C. In vitro model of brain endothelial cell barrier reveals alterations induced by Plasmodium blood stage factors. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:729-737. [PMID: 36694092 PMCID: PMC9988999 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07782-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Cerebral malaria (CM) is a severe neurological condition caused by Plasmodium falciparum. Disruption of the brain-blood barrier (BBB) is a key pathological event leading to brain edema and vascular leakage in both humans and in the mouse model of CM. Interactions of brain endothelial cells with infected red blood cells (iRBCs) and with circulating inflammatory mediators and immune cells contribute to BBB dysfunction in CM. Adjunctive therapies for CM aim at preserving the BBB to prevent neurologic deficits. Experimental animal and cellular models are essential to develop new therapeutic strategies. However, in mice, the disease develops rapidly, which offers a very narrow time window for testing the therapeutic potential of drugs acting in the BBB. Here, we establish a brain endothelial cell barrier whose disturbance can be monitored by several parameters. Using this system, we found that incubation with iRBCs and with extracellular particles (EPs) released by iRBCs changes endothelial cell morphology, decreases the tight junction protein zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), increases the gene expression of the intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), and induces a significant reduction in transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) with increased permeability. We propose this in vitro experimental setup as a straightforward tool to investigate molecular interactions and pathways causing endothelial barrier dysfunction and to test compounds that may target BBB and be effective against CM. A pre-selection of the effective compounds that strengthen the resistance of the brain endothelial cell barrier to Plasmodium-induced blood factors in vitro may increase the likelihood of their efficacy in preclinical disease mouse models of CM and in subsequent clinical trials with patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa F Pais
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Rua da Quinta Grande, 6, 2780-156, Oeiras, Portugal.
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18
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Du F, Shusta EV, Palecek SP. Extracellular matrix proteins in construction and function of in vitro blood-brain barrier models. FRONTIERS IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 2023. [DOI: 10.3389/fceng.2023.1130127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a highly impermeable barrier separating circulating blood and brain tissue. A functional BBB is critical for brain health, and BBB dysfunction has been linked to the pathophysiology of diseases such as stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. A variety of models have been developed to study the formation and maintenance of the BBB, ranging from in vivo animal models to in vitro models consisting of primary cells or cells differentiated from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). These models must consider the composition and source of the cellular components of the neurovascular unit (NVU), including brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs), brain pericytes, astrocytes, and neurons, and how these cell types interact. In addition, the non-cellular components of the BBB microenvironment, such as the brain vascular basement membrane (BM) that is in direct contact with the NVU, also play key roles in BBB function. Here, we review how extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in the brain vascular BM affect the BBB, with a particular focus on studies using hPSC-derived in vitro BBB models, and discuss how future studies are needed to advance our understanding of how the ECM affects BBB models to improve model performance and expand our knowledge on the formation and maintenance of the BBB.
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19
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Girard SD, Julien-Gau I, Molino Y, Combes BF, Greetham L, Khrestchatisky M, Nivet E. High and low permeability of human pluripotent stem cell-derived blood-brain barrier models depend on epithelial or endothelial features. FASEB J 2023; 37:e22770. [PMID: 36688807 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202201422r] [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: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The search for reliable human blood-brain barrier (BBB) models represents a challenge for the development/testing of strategies aiming to enhance brain delivery of drugs. Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have raised hopes in the development of predictive BBB models. Differentiating strategies are thus required to generate endothelial cells (ECs), a major component of the BBB. Several hiPSC-based protocols have reported the generation of in vitro models with significant differences in barrier properties. We studied in depth the properties of iPSCs byproducts from two protocols that have been established to yield these in vitro barrier models. Our analysis/study reveals that iPSCs derivatives endowed with EC features yield high permeability models while the cells that exhibit outstanding barrier properties show principally epithelial cell-like (EpC) features. We found that models containing EpC-like cells express tight junction proteins, transporters/efflux pumps and display a high functional tightness with very low permeability, which are features commonly shared between BBB and epithelial barriers. Our study demonstrates that hiPSC-based BBB models need extensive characterization beforehand and that a reliable human BBB model containing EC-like cells and displaying low permeability is still needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane D Girard
- Institute of NeuroPhysiopathology, INP, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
- Faculty of Medicine, VECT-HORUS SAS, Marseille, France
| | | | - Yves Molino
- Faculty of Medicine, VECT-HORUS SAS, Marseille, France
| | | | - Louise Greetham
- Institute of NeuroPhysiopathology, INP, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Michel Khrestchatisky
- Institute of NeuroPhysiopathology, INP, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Emmanuel Nivet
- Institute of NeuroPhysiopathology, INP, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
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20
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Al-Ahmad AJ. Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Based Model of the Blood-Brain at 10 Years: A Retrospective on Past and Current Disease Models. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2023; 281:141-156. [PMID: 36943490 DOI: 10.1007/164_2023_645] [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: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
The initial discovery and derivation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by Yamanaka and colleagues in 2006 revolutionized the field of personalized medicine, as it opened the possibility to model diseases using patient-derived stem cells. A decade of adoption of iPSCs within the community of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) significantly opened the door for modeling diseases at the BBB, a task until then considered challenging, if not impossible.In this book chapter, we provided an extensive review of the literature on the use of iPSC-based models of the human BBB to model neurological diseases including infectious diseases (COVID-19, Streptococcus, Neisseria) neurodevelopmental diseases (adrenoleukodystrophy, Allan-Herndon-Dudley Syndrome, Batten's disease, GLUT1 deficiency syndrome), and neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's disease, the current findings and observations, but also the challenges and limitations inherent to the use of iPSC-based models in reproducing the human BBB during health and diseases in a Petri dish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham J Al-Ahmad
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA.
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21
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Yuan Y, Sun J, Dong Q, Cui M. Blood-brain barrier endothelial cells in neurodegenerative diseases: Signals from the "barrier". Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1047778. [PMID: 36908787 PMCID: PMC9998532 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1047778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
As blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption emerges as a common problem in the early stages of neurodegenerative diseases, the crucial roles of barrier-type brain endothelial cells (BECs), the primary part of the BBB, have been reported in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases. The mechanisms of how early vascular dysfunction contributes to the progress of neurodegeneration are still unclear, and understanding BEC functions is a promising start. Our understanding of the BBB has gone through different stages, from a passive diffusion barrier to a mediator of central-peripheral interactions. BECs serve two seemingly paradoxical roles: as a barrier to protect the delicate brain from toxins and as an interface to constantly receive and release signals, thus maintaining and regulating the homeostasis of the brain. Most previous studies about neurodegenerative diseases focus on the loss of barrier functions, and far too little attention has been paid to the active regulations of BECs. In this review, we present the current evidence of BEC dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases and explore how BEC signals participate in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwen Yuan
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Sun
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiang Dong
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and Ministry of Education (MOE) Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mei Cui
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and Ministry of Education (MOE) Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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22
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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: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [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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23
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Pinals RL, Tsai LH. Building in vitro models of the brain to understand the role of APOE in Alzheimer's disease. Life Sci Alliance 2022; 5:5/11/e202201542. [PMID: 36167428 PMCID: PMC9515460 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201542] [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: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating, complex, and incurable disease that represents an increasingly problematic global health issue. The etiology of sporadic AD that accounts for a vast majority of cases remains poorly understood, with no effective therapeutic interventions. Genetic studies have identified AD risk genes including the most prominent, APOE, of which the ɛ4 allele increases risk in a dose-dependent manner. A breakthrough discovery enabled the creation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) that can be differentiated into various brain cell types, facilitating AD research in genetically human models. Herein, we provide a brief background on AD in the context of APOE susceptibility and feature work employing hiPSC-derived brain cell and tissue models to interrogate the contribution of APOE in driving AD pathology. Such models have delivered crucial insights into cellular mechanisms and cell type-specific roles underlying the perturbed biological functions that trigger pathogenic cascades and propagate neurodegeneration. Collectively, hiPSC-based models are envisioned to be an impactful platform for uncovering fundamental AD understanding, with high translational value toward AD drug discovery and testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Pinals
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Li-Huei Tsai
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA .,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
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McCloskey MC, Zhang VZ, Ahmad SD, Walker S, Romanick SS, Awad HA, McGrath JL. Sourcing cells for in vitro models of human vascular barriers of inflammation. FRONTIERS IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY 2022; 4:979768. [PMID: 36483299 PMCID: PMC9724237 DOI: 10.3389/fmedt.2022.979768] [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: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The vascular system plays a critical role in the progression and resolution of inflammation. The contributions of the vascular endothelium to these processes, however, vary with tissue and disease state. Recently, tissue chip models have emerged as promising tools to understand human disease and for the development of personalized medicine approaches. Inclusion of a vascular component within these platforms is critical for properly evaluating most diseases, but many models to date use "generic" endothelial cells, which can preclude the identification of biomedically meaningful pathways and mechanisms. As the knowledge of vascular heterogeneity and immune cell trafficking throughout the body advances, tissue chip models should also advance to incorporate tissue-specific cells where possible. Here, we discuss the known heterogeneity of leukocyte trafficking in vascular beds of some commonly modeled tissues. We comment on the availability of different tissue-specific cell sources for endothelial cells and pericytes, with a focus on stem cell sources for the full realization of personalized medicine. We discuss sources available for the immune cells needed to model inflammatory processes and the findings of tissue chip models that have used the cells to studying transmigration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly C. McCloskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Victor Z. Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
- Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - S. Danial Ahmad
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Samuel Walker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Samantha S. Romanick
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Hani A. Awad
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
- Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
- Department of Orthopaedics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - James L. McGrath
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
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Sun J, Ou W, Han D, Paganini-Hill A, Fisher MJ, Sumbria RK. Comparative studies between the murine immortalized brain endothelial cell line (bEnd.3) and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived human brain endothelial cells for paracellular transport. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268860. [PMID: 35613139 PMCID: PMC9132315 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain microvascular endothelial cells, forming the anatomical site of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), are widely used as in vitro complements to in vivo BBB studies. Among the immortalized cells used as in vitro BBB models, the murine-derived bEnd.3 cells offer culturing consistency and low cost and are well characterized for functional and transport assays, but result in low transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER). Human-induced pluripotent stem cells differentiated into brain microvascular endothelial cells (ihBMECs) have superior barrier properties, but the process of differentiation is time-consuming and can result in mixed endothelial-epithelial gene expression. Here we performed a side-by-side comparison of the ihBMECs and bEnd.3 cells for key paracellular diffusional transport characteristics. The TEER across the ihBMECs was 45- to 68-fold higher than the bEnd.3 monolayer. The ihBMECs had significantly lower tracer permeability than the bEnd.3 cells. Both, however, could discriminate between the paracellular permeabilities of two tracers: sodium fluorescein (MW: 376 Da) and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran (MW: 70 kDa). FITC-dextran permeability was a strong inverse-correlate of TEER in the bEnd.3 cells, whereas sodium fluorescein permeability was a strong inverse-correlate of TEER in the ihBMECs. Both bEnd.3 cells and ihBMECs showed the typical cobblestone morphology with robust uptake of acetylated LDL and strong immuno-positivity for vWF. Both models showed strong claudin-5 expression, albeit with differences in expression location. We further confirmed the vascular endothelial- (CD31 and tube-like formation) and erythrophagocytic-phenotypes and the response to inflammatory stimuli of ihBMECs. Overall, both bEnd.3 cells and ihBMECs express key brain endothelial phenotypic markers, and despite differential TEER measurements, these in vitro models can discriminate between the passage of different molecular weight tracers. Our results highlight the need to corroborate TEER measurements with different molecular weight tracers and that the bEnd.3 cells may be suitable for large molecule transport studies despite their low TEER.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahong Sun
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Chapman University, Irvine, CA, United States of America
| | - Weijun Ou
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Chapman University, Irvine, CA, United States of America
| | - Derick Han
- Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, CA, United States of America
| | - Annlia Paganini-Hill
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States of America
| | - Mark J. Fisher
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States of America
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States of America
| | - Rachita K. Sumbria
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Chapman University, Irvine, CA, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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26
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Fortune AJ, Fletcher JL, Blackburn NB, Young KM. Using MS induced pluripotent stem cells to investigate MS aetiology. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2022; 63:103839. [DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2022.103839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Marzano M, Chen X, Russell TA, Medina A, Wang Z, Hua T, Zeng C, Wang X, Sang QX, Tang H, Yun Y, Li Y. Studying the Inflammatory Responses to Amyloid Beta Oligomers in Brain-Specific Pericyte and Endothelial Co-culture from Human Stem Cells. FRONTIERS IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 2022; 4:927188. [PMID: 36561642 PMCID: PMC9771397 DOI: 10.3389/fceng.2022.927188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Recently, the in vitro blood brain barrier (BBB) models derived from human pluripotent stem cells have been given extensive attention in therapeutics due to the implications it has with the health of the central nervous system. It is essential to create an accurate BBB model in vitro in order to better understand the properties of the BBB and how it can respond to inflammatory stimulation and be passed by targeted or non-targeted cell therapeutics, more specifically extracellular vesicles. Methods Brain-specific pericytes (iPCs) were differentiated from iPSK3 cells using dual SMAD signaling inhibitors and Wnt activation plus fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2). The derived cells were characterized by immunostaining, flow cytometry and RT-PCR. In parallel, blood vessels organoids were derived using Wnt activation, BMP4, FGF2, VEGF and SB431542. The organoids were replated and treated with retinoic acid to enhance the blood brain barrier (BBB) features in the differentiated brain endothelial cells (iECs). Co-culture was performed for the iPCs and iECs in transwell system and 3-D microfluidics channels. Results The derived iPCs expressed common markers PDGFRb and NG2, as well as brain-specific genes FOXF2, ABCC9, KCNJ8, and ZIC1. The derived iECs expressed common endothelial cell markers CD31, VE-cadherin, as well as BBB-associated genes BRCP, GLUT-1, PGP, ABCC1, OCLN, SLC2A1. The co-culture of the two cell types responded to the stimulation of amyloid β42 oligomers by the upregulation of expression of TNFa, IL6, NFKB, Casp3, SOD2 and TP53. The co-culture also showed the property of trans-endothelial electrical resistance. The proof-of-concept vascularization strategy was demonstrated in a 3-D microfluidics-based device. Conclusion The derived iPCs and iECs have brain-specific properties and the co-culture of iPCs and iECs provides an in vitro BBB model that show inflammatory response. This study has significance in establishing micro-physiological systems for neurological disease modeling and drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Marzano
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Xingchi Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Teal A. Russell
- FIT BEST Laboratory, Department of Chemical, Biological, and Bio Engineering, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC, 27411, USA
| | - Angelica Medina
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Zizheng Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Timothy Hua
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
| | - Changchun Zeng
- Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA,The High-Performance Materials Institute, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Xueju Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Qing-Xiang Sang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
| | - Hengli Tang
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Yeoheung Yun
- FIT BEST Laboratory, Department of Chemical, Biological, and Bio Engineering, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC, 27411, USA
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA,Corresponding author: Dr. Yan Li: address: 2525 Pottsdamer St., Tallahassee, FL 32310, Tel: 850-410-6320; Fax: 850-410-6150;
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Hashimoto Y, Michiba K, Maeda K, Kusuhara H. Quantitative prediction of pharmacokinetic properties of drugs in humans: Recent advance in in vitro models to predict the impact of efflux transporters in the small intestine and blood-brain barrier. J Pharmacol Sci 2021; 148:142-151. [PMID: 34924119 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphs.2021.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Efflux transport systems are essential to suppress the absorption of xenobiotics from the intestinal lumen and protect the critical tissues at the blood-tissue barriers, such as the blood-brain barrier. The function of drug efflux transport is dominated by various transporters. Accumulated clinical evidences have revealed that genetic variations of the transporters, together with coadministered drugs, affect the expression and/or function of transporters and subsequently the pharmacokinetics of substrate drugs. Thus, in the preclinical stage of drug development, quantitative prediction of the impact of efflux transporters as well as that of uptake transporters and metabolic enzymes on the pharmacokinetics of drugs in humans has been performed using various in vitro experimental tools. Various kinds of human-derived cell systems can be applied to the precise prediction of drug transport in humans. Mathematical modeling consisting of each intrinsic metabolic or transport process enables us to understand the disposition of drugs both at the organ level and at the level of the whole body by integrating a variety of experimental results into model parameters. This review focuses on the role of efflux transporters in the intestinal absorption and brain distribution of drugs, in addition to recent advances in predictive tools and methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiki Hashimoto
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacokinetics, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Kazuyoshi Michiba
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacokinetics, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Kazuya Maeda
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, Kitasato University School of Pharmacy, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kusuhara
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacokinetics, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
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29
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Liang QQ, Liu L. Application of vascular endothelial cells in stem cell medicine. World J Clin Cases 2021; 9:10765-10780. [PMID: 35047589 PMCID: PMC8678855 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i35.10765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cell medicine is gaining momentum in the development of therapy for various end-stage diseases. The search for new seed cells and exploration of their application prospects are topics of interest in stem cell medicine. In recent years, vascular endothelial cells (VECs) have attracted wide attention from scholars. VECs, which form the inner lining of blood vessels, are critically involved in many physiological functions, including permeability, angiogenesis, blood pressure regulation, immunity, and pathological development, such as atherosclerosis and malignant tumors. VECs have significant therapeutic effects and broad application prospects in stem cell medicine for the treatment of various refractory diseases, including atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, diabetic complications, hypertension, coronavirus disease 2019, and malignant tumors. On the one hand, VECs and their extracellular vesicles can be directly used for the treatment of these diseases. On the other hand, VECs can be used as therapeutic targets for some diseases. However, there are still some obstacles to the use of VECs in stem cell medicine. In this review, advances in the applications and challenges that come with the use of these cells are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Qing Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Lei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
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30
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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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31
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Neumaier F, Zlatopolskiy BD, Neumaier B. Drug Penetration into the Central Nervous System: Pharmacokinetic Concepts and In Vitro Model Systems. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:1542. [PMID: 34683835 PMCID: PMC8538549 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13101542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Delivery of most drugs into the central nervous system (CNS) is restricted by the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which remains a significant bottleneck for development of novel CNS-targeted therapeutics or molecular tracers for neuroimaging. Consistent failure to reliably predict drug efficiency based on single measures for the rate or extent of brain penetration has led to the emergence of a more holistic framework that integrates data from various in vivo, in situ and in vitro assays to obtain a comprehensive description of drug delivery to and distribution within the brain. Coupled with ongoing development of suitable in vitro BBB models, this integrated approach promises to reduce the incidence of costly late-stage failures in CNS drug development, and could help to overcome some of the technical, economic and ethical issues associated with in vivo studies in animal models. Here, we provide an overview of BBB structure and function in vivo, and a summary of the pharmacokinetic parameters that can be used to determine and predict the rate and extent of drug penetration into the brain. We also review different in vitro models with regard to their inherent shortcomings and potential usefulness for development of fast-acting drugs or neurotracers labeled with short-lived radionuclides. In this regard, a special focus has been set on those systems that are sufficiently well established to be used in laboratories without significant bioengineering expertise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Neumaier
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Experimental Molecular Imaging, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany; (B.D.Z.); (B.N.)
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Nuclear Chemistry (INM-5), Wilhelm-Johnen-Str., 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Boris D. Zlatopolskiy
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Experimental Molecular Imaging, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany; (B.D.Z.); (B.N.)
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Nuclear Chemistry (INM-5), Wilhelm-Johnen-Str., 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Bernd Neumaier
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Experimental Molecular Imaging, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany; (B.D.Z.); (B.N.)
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Nuclear Chemistry (INM-5), Wilhelm-Johnen-Str., 52428 Jülich, Germany
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32
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Wu YC, Sonninen TM, Peltonen S, Koistinaho J, Lehtonen Š. Blood-Brain Barrier and Neurodegenerative Diseases-Modeling with iPSC-Derived Brain Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:7710. [PMID: 34299328 PMCID: PMC8307585 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) regulates the delivery of oxygen and important nutrients to the brain through active and passive transport and prevents neurotoxins from entering the brain. It also has a clearance function and removes carbon dioxide and toxic metabolites from the central nervous system (CNS). Several drugs are unable to cross the BBB and enter the CNS, adding complexity to drug screens targeting brain disorders. A well-functioning BBB is essential for maintaining healthy brain tissue, and a malfunction of the BBB, linked to its permeability, results in toxins and immune cells entering the CNS. This impairment is associated with a variety of neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Here, we summarize current knowledge about the BBB in neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, we focus on recent progress of using human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived models to study the BBB. We review the potential of novel stem cell-based platforms in modeling the BBB and address advances and key challenges of using stem cell technology in modeling the human BBB. Finally, we highlight future directions in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Chieh Wu
- Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (Y.-C.W.); (T.-M.S.); (S.P.); (J.K.)
| | - Tuuli-Maria Sonninen
- Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (Y.-C.W.); (T.-M.S.); (S.P.); (J.K.)
| | - Sanni Peltonen
- Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (Y.-C.W.); (T.-M.S.); (S.P.); (J.K.)
| | - Jari Koistinaho
- Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (Y.-C.W.); (T.-M.S.); (S.P.); (J.K.)
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Šárka Lehtonen
- Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (Y.-C.W.); (T.-M.S.); (S.P.); (J.K.)
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
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Mandrycky CJ, Howard CC, Rayner SG, Shin YJ, Zheng Y. Organ-on-a-chip systems for vascular biology. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2021; 159:1-13. [PMID: 34118217 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2021.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Organ-on-a-chip (OOC) platforms involve the miniaturization of cell culture systems and enable a variety of novel experimental approaches. These range from modeling the independent effects of biophysical forces on cells to screening novel drugs in multi-organ microphysiological systems, all within microscale devices. As in living systems, the incorporation of vascular structure is a key feature common to almost all organ-on-a-chip systems. In this review we highlight recent advances in organ-on-a-chip technologies with a focus on the vasculature. We first present the developmental process of the blood vessels through which vascular cells assemble into networks and remodel to form complex vascular beds under flow. We then review self-assembled vascular models and flow systems for the study of vascular development and biology as well as pre-patterned vascular models for the generation of perfusable microvessels for modeling vascular and tissue function. We finally conclude with a perspective on developing future OOC approaches for studying different aspects of vascular biology. We highlight the fit for purpose selection of OOC models towards either simple but powerful testbeds for therapeutic development, or complex vasculature to accurately replicate human physiology for specific disease modeling and tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian J Mandrycky
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, 3720 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105, USA.
| | - Caitlin C Howard
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, 3720 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105, USA.
| | - Samuel G Rayner
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, 3720 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105, USA; Department of Medicine; Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
| | - Yu Jung Shin
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, 3720 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105, USA.
| | - Ying Zheng
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, 3720 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105, USA; Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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