Improved Method for the Preparation of a Human Cell-based, Contact Model of the Blood-Brain Barrier

Summary

Establishment of human models of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) can benefit research into brain conditions associated with BBB failure. We describe here an improved technique for preparation of a contact BBB model, which permits coculturing of human astrocytes and brain endothelial cells on the opposite sides of a porous membrane.

Abstract

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) comprises impermeable but adaptable brain capillaries which tightly control the brain environment. Failure of the BBB has been implied in the etiology of many brain pathologies, creating a need for development of human in vitro BBB models to assist in clinically-relevant research. Among the numerous BBB models thus far described, a static (without flow), contact BBB model, where astrocytes and brain endothelial cells (BECs) are cocultured on the opposite sides of a porous membrane, emerged as a simplified yet authentic system to simulate the BBB with high throughput screening capacity. Nevertheless the generation of such model presents few technical challenges. Here, we describe a protocol for preparation of a contact human BBB model utilizing a novel combination of primary human BECs and immortalized human astrocytes. Specifically, we detail an innovative method for cell-seeding on inverted inserts as well as specify insert staining techniques and exemplify how we use our model for BBB-related research.

Introduction

The BBB is a specialized interface between the peripheral blood circulation and the central nervous system, crucially responsible for the maintenance of brain hemostasis. It comprises distinct brain microvascular endothelial cells (BECs) which are functionally influenced by few cellular and acellular components (below) to form a tight and dynamic gateway into the brain. Under physiological conditions the BBB restricts the passage of blood cells, plasma components and harmful substances, all potentially neurotoxic, into the brain. In parallel, the BBB selectively exchanges key ions and nutrients (glucose and amino-acids) and metabolic waste products between the brain a....

Protocol

1. Cell Culture (3-7 Days Prior to BBB Assembly)

1.1. Primary Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells (BECs)

BECs were commercially obtained. The cells were produced by dispase dissociation of normal human brain cortex tissue and provided frozen at passage 3 (<12 population doublings).

1. Substratum: Coat tissue-culture vessels with "Attachment Factor" as per the manufacturer instructions.
2. Cell maintenance: Maintain BECs in serum-containing complete medium. For experimentation, culture BECs in complete serum-free medium. Maintain the cells in a humidified 5% CO

Results

In order to establish a human, contact BBB model we had to cultivate SVGs and BECs on porous membranes with a 3 µm pore-size, shown to permit passage of astrocyte end-feet for contact with endothelial cells^14,15,27,28. A schematic representation of the complete contact model is illustrated in Figure 1 (left illustration). The main technical challenge presented by a contact system is the need to seed astrocytes against gravity on the abluminal surface of the membrane. We have succeeded in this .......

Discussion

Medical research into brain pathologies suffers much translational difficulty. In the area of acute ischemic stroke, for example, many drugs which showed great promise in animal models failed at the clinic^38,39. The reasons for these disappointing results are diverse and include infidelity of the preclinical test systems to the human stroke scenario and overstatement of results obtained from animal studies²¹. One strategy to improve the predictive value of preclinical findings to the clinical phase .......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Attachment Factor	Cell-Systems Corporation	4Z0-210
Brain microvascular endothelial cells (BECs), primary, human	Cell-Systems Corporation	ACBRI 376
Complete medium	Cell-Systems Corporation	4Z0-500	Supplemented with CSC JetFuel
Complete serum-free medium	Cell-Systems Corporation	SF-4Z0-500	Supplemented with CSC RocketFue
DMEM/F-12 with 15 mM HEPES	Life Technologies	11330-032
Endothelial cells growth supplement (from bovine origin)	Sigma-Aldrich	E2759-15MG
External silicone tubing	Watson-Marlow	913.A080.016	Pumpsil brand, 8 mm internal diameter, 1.6 mm wall
Foetal calf serum	Lonza	14-501F
Gentamycin sulfate	Life Technologies	15750-060
Heparin sodium	Pfizer		1,000 U/ml
Hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS)	Sigma-Aldrich	H4875
Human brain microvascular endothelial cells	Cell-Systems Corporation	ACBRI 376
Internal silicone tubing	Watson-Marlow	913.A032.016	Pumpsil brand, 3.2 mm internal diameter, 1.6 mm wall
L-Glutamine	Life Technologies	25030
Mayer’s hematoxylin solution	Amber Scientific	MH
Minimum essential medium with Earle’s balanced salt solution	HyClone Laboratories	SH30244.01
Penicillin/Streptomycin	Life Technologies	15140
Rat collagen I	Trevigen	3440-100-01	Cultrex brand
Tissue culture inserts	Corning Life Sciences	3472	Transwell brand, 6.5 mm in diameter, with polyester porous membrane, 3 µm pore-size