基于微流控芯片的体外血脑屏障模型构建

目的:利用微流控芯片技术构建易调控、接近在体微环境的体外血脑屏障模型。方法:微流控芯片体外模型采用上下双培养池结构,由多聚碳酸酯膜分隔,两套流路系统控制流体。细胞采用原代分离纯化的大鼠脑血管内皮细胞和星形胶质细胞,免疫荧光技术进行鉴定,分别按次序注入微流控芯片上下培养池,按1μl/min的流速进行灌注培养,构建体外血脑屏障模型,并对此模型进行鉴定和评价。结果:原代分离纯化得到两种细胞,免疫荧光法鉴定细胞纯度达95%以上。共培养3天紧密连接开始形成,5天达到峰值,超微结构观察显示内皮细胞之间形成紧密连接,且荧光素钠渗透实验和TEER值测量表明屏障形成良好。结论:成功构建微流控芯片体外血脑屏障模型,可成为一个新的平台应用于药物筛选、神经系统基础等多项研究中。     

血脑屏障体外模型研究进展

脑毛细血管上的特殊结构单元为大脑提供氧气和养分,与此同时形成一种限制性屏障,称为血脑屏障(BBB),该结构单元由单层脑微血管内皮细胞构成,内皮细胞外侧的周细胞、基膜以及星形胶质细胞的足突也参与了血脑屏障的形成.血脑屏障是一种选择性渗透屏障,大多数中枢神经系统候选药物在血脑屏障中的渗透性差,用实验动物进行药物筛选具有成本高、周期长、成功率低等缺点.此外,直接在人体中试验有违道德伦理,但建立可靠的体外血脑屏障模型可以简化实验过程、缩短试验周期、实验结果更易测定,因此建立体外BBB模型可以极大地加快中枢神经系统药物的研发.目前已研究的模型主要可以分为3类:单培养、共培养、三培养,这些模型由简单到复杂,与体内血脑屏障的相似性也越来越高.本文就目前现有的血脑屏障模型进行综述,以期未来在体外BBB模型设计中有新的思路.     

脑微血管内皮细胞条件培养液对星形胶质细胞的影响及通络中药的干预特征

目的:揭示脑微血管内皮细胞生理、病理及通络中药处理后不同状态的培养液对正常星形胶质细胞影响的特征,从细胞间相互作用角度探讨脑微血管内皮细胞与星形胶质细胞的生物学关系,为阐释脑微环境稳定的血脑屏障维护机制以及通络中药通过内皮细胞调节脑内微环境理论假说提供新的证据。方法:制备正常、拟缺血和拟缺血合并通络救脑注射液处理的大鼠脑微血管内皮细胞条件培养液,观察其对星形胶质细胞活性和凋亡率的影响。结果:与正常星形胶质细胞相比,正常内皮细胞条件培养液能够降低正常星形胶质细胞的活性,并促进星形胶质细胞的凋亡;而拟缺血处理的内皮细胞条件培养液能够提高正常星形胶质细胞的活性和凋亡率;拟缺血合并通络药物处理的内皮细胞条件培养液对正常星形胶质细胞的活性有提高作用,并显著降低其凋亡率。结论:三种不同处理方式的内皮细胞条件培养液对正常星形胶质细胞活性和凋亡产生不同的影响,提示不同状态的微血管内皮细胞对脑内微环境产生影响,通络救脑注射液可能通过调节微血管内皮细胞的分泌而对星形胶质细胞发挥作用。     

哈尔滨医科大学附属第一医院神经外科

血脑屏障的是人体自然屏障之一。其主要作用是阻止有害物质通过颅内血管进入脑实质,并同时辅助排出脑内代谢物质等。对相当多的颅内恶性肿瘤术后患者,血脑屏障在一定程度上阻碍了化疗药物进入脑实质,从而影响化疗效果。因此近年来越来越多的学者将研究重点放在如何开放血脑屏障这个问题上。血脑屏障构成主要为毛细血管的内皮细胞、基膜周细胞和星状胶质细胞的足突,其中血管内皮细胞处于最重要的地位。原因归结于它自身的一个特殊结构--紧密连接。紧密连接是否完整,功能是否可以正常发挥关系到内皮细胞的完整性,因此对血脑屏障的开放有着举足轻重的作用。维持紧密连接结构中功能蛋白功能的能量物质为葡萄糖。脑血管中的葡萄糖进入脑实质需载体或通道,脑组织负责此过程的物质为葡萄糖转运蛋白1(GLUT1)。本文作者通过松胞菌素B抑制葡萄糖转运蛋白1,降低能量供应从而影响紧密连接功能,最终引起血脑屏障开放角度做一综述。     

松胞菌素B开放血脑屏障的研究进展

血脑屏障的是人体自然屏障之一。其主要作用是阻止有害物质通过颅内血管进入脑实质,并同时辅助排出脑内代谢物质等。对相当多的颅内恶性肿瘤术后患者,血脑屏障在一定程度上阻碍了化疗药物进入脑实质,从而影响化疗效果。因此近年来越来越多的学者将研究重点放在如何开放血脑屏障这个问题上。血脑屏障构成主要为毛细血管的内皮细胞、基膜周细胞和星状胶质细胞的足突,其中血管内皮细胞处于最重要的地位。原因归结于它自身的一个特殊结构--紧密连接。紧密连接是否完整,功能是否可以正常发挥关系到内皮细胞的完整性,因此对血脑屏障的开放有着举足轻重的作用。维持紧密连接结构中功能蛋白功能的能量物质为葡萄糖。脑血管中的葡萄糖进入脑实质需载体或通道,脑组织负责此过程的物质为葡萄糖转运蛋白1(GLUT1)。本文作者通过松胞菌素B抑制葡萄糖转运蛋白1,降低能量供应从而影响紧密连接功能,最终引起血脑屏障开放角度做一综述。     

星形胶质细胞

目录一、星形胶质细胞的生物学特性(一 )星形胶质细胞的异质性(二 )胶质网络二、星形胶质细胞的功能(一 )分泌功能(二 )星形胶质细胞与神经的发育及再生(三 )星形胶质细胞具有对神经元微环境调控的能力(四 )免疫功能与血脑屏障调控三、星形胶质细胞功能的新近进展(一 )星形胶质细胞也具有可兴奋性(二 )星形胶质细胞与神经元的通讯或对话(三 )在突触形成和突触可塑性中的作用(四 )星形胶质细胞与神经发生胶质细胞是神经系统内数量众多的一大类细胞群体 ,约占中枢神经系统 (CNS)细胞总数的 90 % ,星形胶质细胞 (astrocyte)是其中主要的组成…     

外周炎症对血脑屏障功能的影响及其机制研究进展

血脑屏障是将中枢神经系统与外周循环中的炎症介质和效应性免疫细胞分隔开的重要生理屏障,由脑血管内皮细胞和周围的血管周细胞、胞外基质膜以及星形胶质细胞等构成,对维持脑微环境和正常生理功能至关重要.临床和实验研究表明,外周炎症与血脑屏障破坏有关,炎症可以通过多种途径影响血脑屏障的正常功能,导致中枢神经系统疾病的发生发展.因此...     

血脑屏障的研究进展

血脑屏障精密控制血液与脑组织的物质交换,对维持脑内微环境的稳定至关重要。血脑屏障是脑内的毛细血管内皮细胞彼此紧密相连,同时与周围的周细胞和星形胶质细胞相互作用形成的屏障系统。组成血脑屏障的细胞通过表达紧密和黏附连接蛋白、转运体、及相关信号分子,调节血脑屏障的发育和功能。神经元和小胶质细胞在生理和病理状态下也参与血脑屏障的功能调节。近年来研究显示,多种神经系统疾病的发生与发展,都伴随着血脑屏障结构和功能的破坏。因此,对血脑屏障的研究,将深化对神经-血管相互作用的认识,为神经系统疾病的诊疗提供重要的理论依据。本文概要总结血脑屏障的研究现状和进展,并对未来发展作出展望。     

血脑屏障的研究进展北大核心CSCD

血脑屏障精密控制血液与脑组织的物质交换,对维持脑内微环境的稳定至关重要。血脑屏障是脑内的毛细血管内皮细胞彼此紧密相连,同时与周围的周细胞和星形胶质细胞相互作用形成的屏障系统。组成血脑屏障的细胞通过表达紧密和黏附连接蛋白、转运体、及相关信号分子,调节血脑屏障的发育和功能。神经元和小胶质细胞在生理和病理状态下也参与血脑屏障的功能调节。近年来研究显示,多种神经系统疾病的发生与发展,都伴随着血脑屏障结构和功能的破坏。因此,对血脑屏障的研究,将深化对神经-血管相互作用的认识,为神经系统疾病的诊疗提供重要的理论依据。本文概要总结血脑屏障的研究现状和进展,并对未来发展作出展望。     

脑微血管内皮细胞条件培养液对星形胶质细胞活性的影响

目的:观察脑微血管内皮细胞与星形胶质细胞的相互关系,探讨血脑屏障维持脑内环境稳定的生理学基础.方法:原代培养大鼠脑皮质微血管内皮细胞,传至三代,收集在指数生长期细胞生长48 h后的务件培养液;将条件培养液分别按20%、30%、40%、50%、60%、70%、80%、90%、100%不同浓度作用于星形胶质细胞,MTT法检测不同浓度内皮细胞条件培养液作用于星形胶质细胞24 h、48h后的活性变化.结果:48h时间点的各浓度内皮细胞条件液组与相应的正常对照组相比差异均有显著统计学意义(P<0.01),内皮细胞条件液对星形胶质细胞表现出显著的抑制效应,而24 h的70%、80%、90%、100%浓度组与相应正常对照组相比也有显著统计学意叉的差异(P<0.01),且有浓度依赖性.结论:正常脑微血管内皮细胞条件培养液抑制了正常星形胶质细胞的活性.     

Astrocyte-mediated induction of alkaline phosphatase activity in human umbilical cord vein endothelium: an in vitro model

The blood-brain barrier, localized in the endothelium of the cerebral capillaries, is characterized by the existence of tight junctions, a low mitochondrial density, a low number of vesicles and a high activity of certain enzymes like alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. Astroglial cells secrete a product that induces brain microvessel endothelial cells to differentiate into endothelial cells with blood-brain barrier properties. If rat astrocytes were grown together with human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells in a co-culture system in which there is no cellular contact between both cell types, alkaline phosphatase activity was induced in the endothelial cells after three days of co-culturing. If the endothelial cells were cultured in astrocyte conditioned medium, alkaline phosphatase activity was also induced, and preliminary results showed that formation of tight junctions occurred after five days. These observations support the hypothesis that astrocytes induce the differentiation of non-blood-brain barrier endothelial cells into endothelial cells with blood-brain barrier properties, in this study based on alkaline phosphatase-activity induction and induction of tight junction formation. These inductive processes are produced by a soluble factor released by the astrocytes.     

Oxygen tension regulates the maturation of the blood-brain barrier.

The oxygen tension during the development of vascular systems influences vascular vessel formation through regulating angiogenesis. We studied the effect of hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) to explain its role in concert with astrocytes involvement in the development of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). On the basis of the fact that the disappearance of hypoxic regions and the decreased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were observed by immunohistochemistry in a development-dependent manner in rat cerebral cortex, we examined the effects of astrocytes on the BBB-like properties of ECV304 cells by exposing astrocytes to H/R. Conditioned medium of reoxygenated astrocytes inhibited [(3)H]thymidine incorporation and tube formation of ECV 304 cells. When astrocytes were exposed to reoxygenation, the expression of VEGF was reduced, whereas the expression of angiopoietin-1 and thrombospondin-1 was enhanced. Moreover, [(3)H]sucrose permeability assay revealed that astrocytes enhance the barrier function of ECV 304 cells in coculture model within 5 h of reoxygenation. Correspondingly, the occludin expression of ECV 304 cells was slightly increased by the conditioned medium of reoxygenated astrocytes. In conclusion, our study suggests that reoxygenation of astrocytes may act as a significant driving force for the maturation of the BBB during brain development through oxygen-regulated gene(s).     

Cell-cell contacts in the human cell line ECV304 exhibit both endothelial and epithelial characteristics

Endothelial cells separate the intra- and extravascular space and regulate transport processes between these compartments. Since intercellular junctions are required for these specific cell functions, the cell-cell contacts in the permanent cell line ECV304 were systematically analyzed and compared with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in primary culture and with the epithelial Madin Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cell line. Filter-grown ECV304 cells generate a distinct electrical resistance and a permeability barrier between cell culture compartments. Electron microscopy of ECV304 cells revealed lateral membrane interdigitations, typically found in endothelial cells in vivo, with direct membrane contact sites, which prevented the diffusion of lanthanum. By immunoblot and immunofluorescence analysis, the expression and cellular localization of the tight junction and adherens-type junction proteins occludin, ZO-1, symplekin, beta-catenin, and plakoglobin were analyzed. ECV304 cells display further characteristics of endothelial cells, including the expresssion of thrombomodulin and of the vitronectin receptor CD51, as well as the secretion of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) and endothelin. However, ECV304 cells also express proteins characteristically found in epithelial cells, including E-cadherin and the desmosomal proteins desmoplakin, desmocollin, and desmoglein; occasionally desmosomal structures can be identified by electron microscopy. In conclusion, ECV304 cells express many endothelial markers and form specialized intercellular junctions that display some epithelial features. Thus this reportedly endothelial-derived permanent human cell line may be dedifferentiated toward an epithelial phenotype.     

Preliminary Characterization of Glial-Secreted Factors Responsible for the Induction of High Electrical Resistances Across Endothelial Monolayers in a Blood-Brain Barrier Model

Factors secreted by C6 glioma cells which induce electrical resistances across endothelial monolayers in an in vitro blood-brain barrier model have been partially characterised for the first time. These transendothelial electrical resistances (TEERs) were only evident when cell-free conditioned medium derived from C6 glioma cells was applied to the basolateral surfaces of confluent ECV304 or ECV304-9 cells which are both human umbilical vein endothelial cell lines (HUVEC). Electrical resistance values as high as 600 ohm. sq cm were obtained with this blood-brain barrier model and ultrafiltration techniques suggest that any factor(s) in the conditioned medium responsible for these TEERs have molecular masses of less than 1000 Da. Enzymic proteolysis and heat treatment carried out on the conditioned medium failed to inhibit its effect on the HUVEC monolayers suggesting that these C6 cell-secreted factors are unlikely to be proteins.     

VEGF increases BMEC monolayer permeability by affecting occludin expression and tight junction assembly

Tight junctions between brain microvessel endothelial cells (BMECs) maintain the blood-brain barrier. Barrier breakdown is associated with brain tumors and central nervous system diseases. Tumor cell-secreted vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) increases microvasculature permeability in vivo and is correlated with the induction of clinically severe brain tumor edema. Here we investigated the permeability-increasing effect and tight junction formation of VEGF. By measuring [(14)C]sucrose flux and transendothelial electrical resistance (TER) across BMEC monolayer cultures, we found that VEGF increased sucrose permeability and decreased TER. VEGF also caused a loss of occludin and ZO-1 from the endothelial cell junctions and changed the staining pattern of the cell boundary. Western blot analysis of BMEC lysates revealed that the level of occludin but not of ZO-1 was lowered by VEGF treatment. These results suggest that VEGF increases BMEC monolayer permeability by reducing occludin expression and disrupting ZO-1 and occludin organization, which leads to tight junction disassembly. Occludin and ZO-1 appear to be downstream effectors of the VEGF signaling pathway.     

Synergistic effects of neurons and astrocytes on the differentiation of brain capillary endothelial cells in culture

Brain capillary endothelial cells form a functional barrier between blood and brain, based on the existence of tight junctions that limit paracellular permeability. Occludin is one of the major transmembrane proteins of tight junctions and its peripheral localization gives indication of tight junction formation. We previously reported that RBE4.B cells (brain capillary endothelial cells), cultured on collagen IV, synthesize occludin and correctly localize it at the cell periphery only when cocultured with neurons. In the present study, we describe a three-cell type-culture system that allowed us to analyze the combined effects of neurons and astrocytes on differentiation of brain capillary endothelial cells in culture. In particular, we found that, in the presence of astrocytes, the neuron-induced synthesis and localization of occludin is precocious as compared to cells cocultured with neurons only.     

Evaluation of an in vitro coculture model for the blood-brain barrier: Comparison of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (ECV304) and rat glioma cells (C6) from two commercial sources

Summary Cocultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (ECV304) and rat glioma cells (C6) from two commercial sources, American Type Culture Collection and European Collection of Animal Cell Cultures, were evaluated as an in vitro model for the blood-brain barrier. Monolayers of endothelial cells grown in the presence or absence of glial cells were examined for transendothelial electrical resistance, sucrose permeability, morphology, multidrug resistance-associated protein expression, and P-glycoprotein expression and function. Coculture of glial cells with endothelial cells increased electrical resistance and decreased sucrose permeability across European endothelial cell monolayers, but had no effect on American endothelial cells. Coculture of European glial cells with endothelial cells caused cell flattening and decreased cell stacking with both European and American endothelial cells. No P-glycoprotein or multidrug resistance-associated protein was immunodetected in endothelial cells grown in glial cell-conditioned medium. Functional P-glycoprotein was demonstrated in American endothelial cells selected in vinblastine-containing medium over eight passages, but these cells did not form a tight endothelium. In conclusion, while European glial cells confer blood-brain barrier-like morphology and barrier integrity to European endothelial cells in coculture, the European endothelial-glial cell coculture model does not express P-glycoprotein, normally found at the blood-brain barrier. Further, the response of endothelial cells to glial factors was dependent on cell source, implying heterogeneity among cell populations. On the basis of these observations, the umbilical vein endothelial cell-glial cell coculture model does not appear to be a viable model for predicting blood-brain barrier penetration of drug molecules.     

Lysophosphatidic Acid Increases Tight Junction Permeability in Cultured Brain Endothelial Cells

Abstract: Brain capillary endothelial cells are coupled by a continuous belt of complex high-electrical-resistance tight junctions that are largely responsible for the blood-brain barrier. We have investigated mechanisms regulating tight junction permeability in brain endothelial cells cultured to maintain high-resistance junctions. The phospholipid lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) was found to cause a rapid, reversible, and dose-dependent decrease in transcellular electrical resistance in brain endothelial cells. LPA also increased the paracellular flux of sucrose, which, together with the resistance decrease, indicated increased tight junction permeability. Activation of protein kinase C attenuated the effect of LPA, suggesting that it was mediated by activation of a signalling pathway. LPA did not cause any obvious relocalization of adherens junction- or tight junction-associated proteins. However, it did stimulate the formation of stress fibres, the recruitment of focal adhesion components, and the appearance of tyrosine phosphorylated protein at focal contacts. Our study shows that LPA is a modulator of tight junction permeability in brain endothelial cells in culture and raises the possibility that it triggers blood-brain barrier permeability changes under (patho)physiological conditions.     

The impact of glia-derived extracellular matrices on the barrier function of cerebral endothelial cells: an in vitro study

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is composed of the cerebral microvascular endothelium, which, together with astrocytes, pericytes, and the extracellular matrix (ECM), contributes to a "neurovascular unit". It was our objective to clarify the impact of endogenous extracellular matrices on the barrier function of BBB microvascular endothelial cells cultured in vitro. The study was performed in two consecutive steps: (i) The ECM-donating cells (astrocytes, pericytes, endothelial cells) were grown to confluence and then removed from the growth substrate by a protocol that leaves the ECM behind. (ii) Suspensions of cerebral endothelial cells were seeded on the endogenous matrices and barrier formation was followed with time. In order to quantify the tightness of the cell junctions, all experiments were performed on planar gold-film electrodes that can be used to read the electrical resistance of the cell layers as a direct measure for endothelial barrier function (electric cell-substrate impedance sensing, ECIS). We observed that endogenously isolated ECM from both, astrocytes and pericytes, improved the tightness of cerebral endothelial cells significantly compared to ECM that was derived from the endothelial cells themselves as a control. Moreover, when cerebral endothelial cells were grown on extracellular matrices produced by non-brain endothelial cells (aorta), the electrical resistances were markedly reduced. Our observations indicate that glia-derived ECM - as an essential part of the BBB - is required to ensure proper barrier formation of cerebral endothelial cells.     

Localization of 7H6 Tight Junction-Associated Antigen along the Cell Border of Vascular Endothelial Cells Correlates with Paracellular Barrier Function against Ions, Large Molecules, and Cancer Cells

To study the regulation of the endothelial barrier, we examined the relationship between the paracellular barrier function and the expression of 7H6 antigen localized at tight junctions of endothelial cells by using transendothelial electrical resistance (TER), fluxes of albumin and dextran, transmigration of rat mammary cancer (SST-2) cells across rat lung endothelial (RLE) cells, and immunocytochemical expression of 7H6 antigen as parameters. RLE cells cultured at a confluent cell density did not express immunohistochemically demonstrable 7H6 antigen and had low paracellular barrier functions. However, treatment of the endothelial cells with 0.5 mMdibutyryl–cAMP or 10⁻⁶Mall-trans-retinoic acid for 4 days induced 7H6 antigen preferentially at the cell border and simultaneously enhanced the barrier function twofold, in terms of TER and fluxes of albumin and dextran. Furthermore, RA-treated RLE cell monolayers with the enhanced barrier function significantly inhibited the transmigration of SST-2 cells. These results together with those of our previous study indicate that 7H6 antigen has a crucial role in the regulation of paracellular barrier function not only in epithelial cells but also in vascular endothelial cells. The present study also suggests that tight junctions of vascular endotheliumin vivofunction as a barrier between blood and tissues against metastatic cancer cells.