Volume 5, Issue 9 2100592
Research Article

A Hybrid Nanofiber/Paper Cell Culture Platform for Building a 3D Blood–Brain Barrier Model

Kaixiang Huang

Kaixiang Huang

Department of Chemistry, Indiana University Bloomington, 800 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN, 47405 USA

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Andre D. Castiaux

Andre D. Castiaux

Department of Chemistry and Center for Additive Manufacturing, Saint Louis University, 3501 Laclede Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63103 USA

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Ram Podicheti

Ram Podicheti

Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics, Indiana University Bloomington, 1001 East Third St., Bloomington, IN, 47405 USA

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Douglas B. Rusch

Douglas B. Rusch

Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics, Indiana University Bloomington, 1001 East Third St., Bloomington, IN, 47405 USA

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R. Scott Martin

Corresponding Author

R. Scott Martin

Department of Chemistry and Center for Additive Manufacturing, Saint Louis University, 3501 Laclede Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63103 USA

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

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Lane A. Baker

Corresponding Author

Lane A. Baker

Department of Chemistry, Indiana University Bloomington, 800 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN, 47405 USA

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

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First published: 16 August 2021
Citations: 9

Abstract

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) protects the central nervous system from toxins and pathogens in the blood by regulating permeation of molecules through the barrier interface. In vitro BBB models described to date reproduce some aspects of BBB functionality, but also suffer from incomplete phenotypic expression of brain endothelial traits, difficulty in reproducibility and fabrication, or overall cost. To address these limitations, a 3D BBB model based on a hybrid paper/nanofiber scaffold is described. The cell culture platform utilizes lens paper as a framework to accommodate 3D culture of astrocytes. An electrospun nanofiber layer is coated onto one face of the paper to mimic the basement membrane and support growth of an organized 2D layer of endothelial cells (ECs). Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived ECs and astrocytes are co-cultured to develop a human BBB model. Morphological and spatial organization of model are validated with confocal microscopy. Measurements of transendothelial resistance and permeability demonstrate the BBB model develops a high-quality barrier and responds to hyperosmolar treatments. RNA-sequencing shows introduction of astrocytes both regulates EC tight junction proteins and improves endothelial phenotypes related to vasculogenesis. This model shows promise as a model platform for future in vitro studies of the BBB.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Data Availability Statement

RNA-sequencing data have been deposited in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO accession number: GSE181332).

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