Development of an In Vitro 3D Brain Tissue Model Mimicking In Vivo-Like Pro-inflammatory and Pro-oxidative Responses

To analyze complex inflammatory responses in an in vitro system, we constructed a new 3D in vitro brain tissue model that exhibits in vivo-like tissue responses (e.g. immune cell phenotypes, and molecular response) to inflammatory stimuli. Finite element modeling of oxygen diffusion and cellular oxygen consumption predicted the oxygen profile within 3D structures, consisting of Type I collagen hydrogel embedded with murine microglia. Viability and cytotoxicity analyses supported the mathematical analysis, determining optimal cell growth conditions for 3D construct development. Real-time RT-PCR and ELISA demonstrated significant up-regulation of pro-inflammatory mediators, such as TNF-α, MCP-1, IL-6 and IL-1β, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated in vitro cell culture (2D and 3D) and in vivo mouse model systems. Interestingly, levels of inflammatory responses from the in vitro 3D model system were more similar to in vivo than in vitro 2D. Additionally, in situ dihydroethidium (DHE) assay and immunofluorescence staining revealed that levels of LPS-stimulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and microglial activation from in vitro 3D model system were closer to in vivo than in vitro 2D. These results demonstrated that an in vitro 3D model provides more physiologically relevant pro-oxidative and pro-inflammatory environments in brain than an in vitro 2D model.