Blood Brain Barrier Models

Blood brain barrier model

Traditional models, such as 2D cell cultures, often fail to replicate the dynamic environment of the BBB, leading to a demand for more sophisticated systems. Alfa Cytology specializes in the development of advanced blood-brain barrier models tailored for research in drug delivery and neurobiology, including organ-on-chip technologies and co-culture systems.

Introduction to Blood Brain Barrier Models

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a physiological barrier between blood and brain tissue in the human brain, which is essential for maintaining the physiological activities of the central nervous system and the homeostasis of the brain microenvironment. Abnormal BBB function is closely related to the development of brain diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, brain tumors, and Parkinson's disease. The structural denseness and high selectivity of the BBB make it difficult for most drug molecules to enter the brain tissue, limiting to some extent the research and development of drugs targeting the CNS. Therefore, Alfa Cytology has established an effective and reliable in vitro BBB system to help you solve the problem of existing 2D cellular and animal models deviating from the in vivo system and to help you solve the key problems in the field of new drug development and brain disease research.

Our Services

We provide you with reliable and scientific in vitro BBB models for the in-depth study of BBB pathophysiology and various related brain diseases. Our models enable the functioning of individual structures, the expression of multiple functional transporters, the restriction of substance passage, and other in vivo BBB physiological functions, as well as consistent cellular morphology and physiological structure distribution in vivo.

Single brain microvascular endothelial cell model
Microvascular endothelial cell + astrocyte model
Brain microvascular endothelial cell+astrocyte+pericyte model
Primary culture brain microvascular endothelial cells + pericytes

Technical advantages

Barrier structure integrity, with good tight connection structure.
Low molecular permeability, strong barrier function for small molecules.
High transmembrane resistance, which can reach the range of physiological transmembrane resistance value.
Can realize dynamic three-dimensional co-culture of various brain cells and observation of cell migration across the barrier.
Mechanical fluid application and multiple drug evaluations are possible.

Applications

Determine the levels of tight junction proteins, i.e., small band closure proteins, claudins, and occludins that regulate the BBB.
Analyze the function of transporter proteins e.g., Pgp in normal and abnormal functioning BBB.
Assess the real-time permeability of therapeutic agents and small molecules in the BBB endothelium.
Understand potential mechanisms of BBB regulation by inflammatory responses.
Visualise and quantify real-time migration of immune cells in the BBB.
Perform genomic, proteomic, and metabolic analyses of normal and dysfunctional BBB.
Analyze the toxic effects of chemical, biological, and physical reagents on BBB cells.
Study the effect of tumor cells on the BBB.

Case Study - 3D In Vitro Blood-Brain Barrier Model

Model Introduction

The 3D in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) model provides a physiologically relevant platform for studying BBB transport properties and evaluating brain-targeting drug delivery systems. By co-culturing human brain endothelial cells with pericytes and astrocytes in a layered insert system, the model enhances endothelial cell polarization, tight junction formation, and barrier integrity, enabling accurate assessment of drug penetration and transport mechanisms.

Model Information

Model: 3D In Vitro Blood-Brain Barrier Model
Cell Types: Brain Endothelial Cells, Pericytes, Astrocytes

Culture System: Layered Insert (Transwell-Based)
Applications: Transport Studies, Permeability Assays, Drug Delivery Evaluation

Model Construction

The model is established by co-culturing human brain endothelial cells with pericytes and astrocytes in a layered insert system, promoting endothelial cell polarization and tight junction formation to maintain barrier integrity. Following successful barrier establishment, the platform was employed to evaluate the BBB penetration capacity and post-penetration therapeutic efficacy of three targeted drugs, Drug A, Drug B, and Drug C, within a 3D BBB-tumor model.

Fig. 1 Schematic representation of 3D in vitro BBB model establishment. (Source: Alfa Cytology)

Model Data

Barrier Integrity: The co-culture system results in transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) values exceeding 130 Ω·cm², confirming monolayer integrity suitable for permeability studies.
BBB Penetration and Efficacy Evaluation: In the absence of the BBB, all three drugs demonstrated high anti-tumor activity. However, in the presence of the BBB, Drug A retained potent efficacy, whereas the efficacy of Drug B and Drug C was significantly diminished.

Fig. 2 BBB penetration of targeted drugs in the 3D BBB model. Data are presented as mean ± standard error (SEM). (Source: Alfa Cytology)

The BBB model microarray system established by Alfa Cytology simulates the in vivo brain physiopathological microenvironment, providing an alternative option for brain tumor research, new drug screening and development, and toxicology studies. Please feel free to contact us for customized content.

All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.