1. |
- Maoz, Ben M., et al.
(author)
-
A linked organ-on-chip model of the human neurovascular unit reveals the metabolic coupling of endothelial and neuronal cells
- 2018
-
In: Nature Biotechnology. - : NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP. - 1087-0156 .- 1546-1696. ; 36:9, s. 865-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The neurovascular unit (NVU) regulates metabolic homeostasis as well as drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in the central nervous system. Metabolic fluxes and conversions over the NVU rely on interactions between brain microvascular endothelium, perivascular pericytes, astrocytes and neurons, making it difficult to identify the contributions of each cell type. Here we model the human NVU using microfluidic organ chips, allowing analysis of the roles of individual cell types in NVU functions. Three coupled chips model influx across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), the brain parenchymal compartment and efflux across the BBB. We used this linked system to mimic the effect of intravascular administration of the psychoactive drug methamphetamine and to identify previously unknown metabolic coupling between the BBB and neurons. Thus, the NVU system offers an in vitro approach for probing transport, efficacy, mechanism of action and toxicity of neuroactive drugs.
|
|
2. |
- Herland, Anna, et al.
(author)
-
Proteomic and Metabolomic Characterization of Human Neurovascular Unit Cells in Response to Methamphetamine
- 2020
-
In: ADVANCED BIOSYSTEMS. - : Wiley. - 2366-7478. ; 4:9
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The functional state of the neurovascular unit (NVU), composed of the blood-brain barrier and the perivasculature that forms a dynamic interface between the blood and the central nervous system (CNS), plays a central role in the control of brain homeostasis and is strongly affected by CNS drugs. Human primary brain microvascular endothelium, astrocyte, pericyte, and neural cell cultures are often used to study NVU barrier functions as well as drug transport and efficacy; however, the proteomic and metabolomic responses of these different cell types are not well characterized. Culturing each cell type separately, using deep coverage proteomic analysis and characterization of the secreted metabolome, as well as measurements of mitochondrial activity, the responses of these cells under baseline conditions and when exposed to the NVU-impairing stimulant methamphetamine (Meth) are analyzed. These studies define the previously unknown metabolic and proteomic profiles of human brain pericytes and lead to improved characterization of the phenotype of each of the NVU cell types as well as cell-specific metabolic and proteomic responses to Meth.
|
|