Blood-brain barrier models in vitro: current situation and prospects

Abstract

Current experimental models of the blood-brain barrier (BBB)in vitro used for studying mechanisms of permeability and intercellularcommunication are discussed in this review. At present,monolayer, multilayer and computer models are in use for theabove-mentioned purposes. Primary isolated cells that make upthe models in vitro may have brain and non-brain origin. Inaddition, transplantable cell lines and co-cultured cells could beused for modeling BBB in vitro.

Keywords

• blood-brain barrier
• experimental models
• central nervous system
• astrocytes
• neurons
• pericytes
• intercellular communication