Next Article in Journal
Downscaling Industrial-Scale Syngas Fermentation to Simulate Frequent and Irregular Dissolved Gas Concentration Shocks
Next Article in Special Issue
Towards Novel Biomimetic In Vitro Models of the Blood–Brain Barrier for Drug Permeability Evaluation
Previous Article in Journal
Mechanical Regulation of Oral Epithelial Barrier Function
Previous Article in Special Issue
Portable Iontophoresis Device for Efficient Drug Delivery
 
 
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Review

Experimental Models to Study the Functions of the Blood–Brain Barrier

by
Andrzej Łach
1,2,
Agnieszka Wnuk
1 and
Anna Katarzyna Wójtowicz
2,*
1
Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Epigenetics, Department of Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-343 Kraków, Poland
2
Department of Nutrition, Animal Biotechnology and Fisheries, Faculty of Animal Sciences, University of Agriculture, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Bioengineering 2023, 10(5), 519; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10050519
Submission received: 23 February 2023 / Revised: 7 April 2023 / Accepted: 22 April 2023 / Published: 25 April 2023
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drug Delivery Systems, What's New?)

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to discuss the achievements of in vitro modeling in terms of the blood–brain barrier [BBB] and to create a clear overview of this research area, which is useful in research planning. The text was divided into three main parts. The first part describes the BBB as a functional structure, its constitution, cellular and noncellular components, mechanisms of functioning and importance for the central nervous system, in terms of both protection and nourishment. The second part is an overview of parameters important in terms of establishing and maintaining a barrier phenotype that allows for formulating criteria of evaluation of the BBB in vitro models. The third and last part discusses certain techniques for developing the BBB in vitro models. It describes subsequent research approaches and models, as they underwent change alongside technological advancement. On the one hand, we discuss possibilities and limitations of different research approaches: primary cultures vs. cell lines and monocultures vs. multicultures. On the other hand, we review advantages and disadvantages of specific models, such as models-on-a-chip, 3D models or microfluidic models. We not only attempt to state the usefulness of specific models in different kinds of research on the BBB but also emphasize the significance of this area of research for advancement of neuroscience and the pharmaceutical industry.
Keywords: blood–brain barrier; in vitro modeling; permeability; HTS; TEER blood–brain barrier; in vitro modeling; permeability; HTS; TEER

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Łach, A.; Wnuk, A.; Wójtowicz, A.K. Experimental Models to Study the Functions of the Blood–Brain Barrier. Bioengineering 2023, 10, 519. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10050519

AMA Style

Łach A, Wnuk A, Wójtowicz AK. Experimental Models to Study the Functions of the Blood–Brain Barrier. Bioengineering. 2023; 10(5):519. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10050519

Chicago/Turabian Style

Łach, Andrzej, Agnieszka Wnuk, and Anna Katarzyna Wójtowicz. 2023. "Experimental Models to Study the Functions of the Blood–Brain Barrier" Bioengineering 10, no. 5: 519. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10050519

APA Style

Łach, A., Wnuk, A., & Wójtowicz, A. K. (2023). Experimental Models to Study the Functions of the Blood–Brain Barrier. Bioengineering, 10(5), 519. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10050519

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop