AN EASIER, REPRODUCIBLE, AND MASS-PRODUCTION METHOD TO STUDY THE BLOOD-BRAIN-BARRIER INVITRO

Abstract: To provide an “in vitro” system for studying brain capillary function, we have developed a process ofcoculture that closely mimics the “in vivo” situation by culturing brain capillary endothelial cells on one side of a filter and astrocytes on the other. Under these conditions, endothelial cells retain all the endothelial cell markers and the characteristics of the blood–brain barrier, including tight junctions and γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase activity. The average electric resistance for the monolayers was 661 Ω cm2. The system is impermeable to inulin and sucrose but allows the transport of leucine. Arabinose treatment increases transcellular transport flux by 70%. The relative ease with which such monolayers can be produced in large quantities would facilitate the “in vitro” study of brain capillary functions. Copyright © 1990, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved