In vitro model of Brain-Blood Barrier using cultured endothelial cells, astrocytes and extracellular matrices

1998 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

• Project/Area Number: 08457360
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Cerebral neurosurgery
• Research Institution: Niigata University
• Principal Investigator: TAKEUCHI Shigekazu Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Associate Professor, 脳研究所, 助教授 (50143772)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): MORI Hiroshi Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Associate, 脳研究所, 助手 (70291359) ; MORII Ken Niigata University Hospital, Associate, 医学部附属病院, 助手 (20230089) ; ABE Hiroshi Niigata University Hospital, Associate, 医学部附属病院, 助手 (60240769)
• Project Period (FY): 1996 – 1998
• Keywords: Blood-Brain barrier / Endothelial cell / Astrocyte

Research Abstract

The interaction of endothelial cells and astrocytes was investigated in vitro.
Microendothelial cells from Fisher's rat brain and astrocytes from new born Fisher's rat were used in this study. The endothelial cells were cultured on a filer coated with type 1 collagen, and treated with fibronectin, and astrocytes were cultured on the reverse side of the filter. Type 1 collagen and fibronectin stimulated the growth and differentiation of the endothelial cells. The endothelial cells co-cultured with astrocytes showed tight junctions between the cells and positive activity for gamma - GTP, although the number of tight junction was small, and the activity of gamma - GTP was low.
Endothelial cells were incubated in type 1 collagen, and capillary formation was successfully made. Condioned media derived from the culture was applied to the co-cultured system, and the system was incubated for a few days. The conditioned media had no effect on the number of tight junction and the activity of gamma - GTP.