Science Advances · 2 authors, 1 centre
This summary was generated by AI from a single paper. It has not been reviewed by a clinician and is not clinical advice. Verify against the source before acting on it.
The authors developed a perfused human brain microvascular network model in microfluidic devices using primary brain endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes, and iPSC-derived neural progenitor cells. NPC survival, neurosphere expansion, neurogenesis, and maturation were enhanced in coculture with brain microvascular networks, with endothelial cells identified as the predominant contributors to NPC expansion.
This preclinical in vitro study developed a perfused brain microvascular network (BMVN) model within microfluidic devices using primary human brain endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes, and XCL-1 iPSC-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Dispersed NPCs cultured alone in microfluidic devices showed poor viability, with most dying after approximately one week. Neurosphere expansion was significantly enhanced in coculture conditions, with brain endothelial cells identified as the predominant contributors to NPC survival and proliferation. NPCs in quad-culture conditions with all three vascular cell types expressed Sox2 and Ki67, confirming active self-renewal and mitosis. The study found that interstitial flow had no significant effect on NPC survival in this experimental setup, though Sox2-positive NPCs were observed directly contacting blood vessels, mimicking native neurovascular niche behavior. After neuron differentiation, approximately 80% of NPCs expressed Tuj1 and slightly over half expressed MAP2. Limitations include the use of a single NPC line, short differentiation protocols, and absence of oligodrogenesis assessment. The model may facilitate future study of human neurovascular niche interactions.
