Coculture model of blood-brain barrier on electrospun nanofibers

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a control mechanism that limits the diffusion of many substances to the central nervous system (CNS). In this study, we designed an in-vitro 3-dimensional BBB system to obtain a fast and reliable model to mimic drug delivery characteristics of the CNS. A support membrane of polycaprolactone nanofiber surfaces was prepared using electrospinning. After confirming the fiber morphology and size, endothelial cells (HUVEC) and glial cells were cultured on either side of this membrane. The model’s similarity to in vivo physiology was tested with a home-designed transmembrane resistance (TR) device, with positive and negative control molecules. Finally, 2 doses of methotrexate (MTX), a chemotherapy agent, were applied to the model, and its permeability through the model was determined indirectly by a vitality test on the MCF-7 cell line. Nicotine, the positive control, completed its penetration through the model almost instantly, while albumin, the negative control, was blocked significantly even after 2 days. MTX reached a deadly threshold 24 h after application. The TR value of the model was promising, being around 260 ohm.cm2. The provided model proposes a disposable and reliable tool for investigating drug permeability through the BBB and has the potential to reduce the number of animal experiments. © TÜBİTAK.
Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştirma Kurumu, TÜBITAK
This project was supported by TÜBİTAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey) by the 2209-A program. We would like to thank EBİLTEM (Ege University Science and Technology Application and Research Center), Ege University Bioengineering Department Biomaterials and 3D Biointerphases Laboratories, and colleagues for supporting this project. We also thank Ege University Faculty of Medicine Oncology Department and Prof. Dr. Ayfer Haydaroğlu for providing MTX and Prof. Dr. Gülperi Öktem for providing C6 glial cells.