Interstitial flow regulates in vitro three-dimensional self-organized
brain micro-vessels.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020;
533:600-606. [PMID:
32988592 DOI:
10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.09.061]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Cell culture under medium flow has been shown to favor human brain microvascular endothelial cells function and maturation. Here a three-dimensional in vitro model of the human brain microvasculature, comprising brain microvascular endothelial cells but also astrocytes, pericytes and a collagen type I microfiber - fibrin based matrix, was cultured under continuous medium flow in a pressure driven microphysiological system (10 kPa, in 60-30 s cycles). The cells self-organized in micro-vessels perpendicular to the shear flow. Comparison with static culture showed that the resulting interstitial flow enhanced a more defined micro-vasculature network, with slightly more numerous lumens, and a higher expression of transporters, carriers and tight junction genes and proteins, essential to the blood-brain barrier functions.
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