Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026
06:19
Reconstruction of the Blood-Brain Barrier In Vitro to Model and Therapeutically Target Neurological Disease
Published on: October 20, 2023
[Peripheral neuropathy and blood-nerve barrier]
1Department of Neurology and Clinical Neuroscience, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine.
Rinsho Shinkeigaku = Clinical Neurology
|December 25, 2009
Summary
Researchers established human immortalized cell lines for the blood-nerve barrier (BNB). These cell lines, including peripheral nerve microvascular endothelial cells (PnMECs) and pericytes, mimic the barrier
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Vascular Biology
Context:
- The blood-nerve barrier (BNB) is crucial for peripheral nervous system (PNS) health, yet poorly understood compared to the blood-brain barrier (BBB).
- Disorders like diabetic neuropathy and Guillain-Barré syndrome involve the PNS, highlighting the need for BNB research.
- Existing research on BNB cellular components is limited, with no established cell lines available.
Purpose:
- To establish and characterize human immortalized cell lines of the blood-nerve barrier (BNB).
- To investigate the cellular properties of peripheral nerve microvascular endothelial cells (PnMECs) and pericytes forming the BNB.
- To provide in vitro models for studying BNB function and dysfunction in peripheral neuropathies.
Summary:
- Successfully established immortalized human PnMEC and pericyte cell lines from the blood-nerve barrier (BNB).
- PnMEC cell line exhibits high transendothelial electrical resistance and expresses tight junction proteins and transporters, similar to BBB models.
- Pericyte cell line expresses tight junction proteins and secretes key neurotrophic factors; co-culture enhances PnMEC barrier function, indicating pericyte support for BNB.
Impact:
- Provides novel in vitro models for studying the blood-nerve barrier (BNB) and its role in peripheral neuropathies.
- Facilitates research into the pathophysiology of inflammatory, vasculitic, hereditary, and diabetic neuropathies.
- Paves the way for developing new therapeutic strategies targeting the BNB for intractable peripheral nervous system disorders.
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