Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 30, 2025
In Vitro Three-Dimensional Sprouting Assay of Angiogenesis Using Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells for Vascular Disease Modeling and Drug Testing
Published on: May 11, 2021
Advances in 3D neural, vascular and neurovascular models for drug testing and regenerative medicine
Diogo C Fernandes1, Rui L Reis1, J Miguel Oliveira1
13Bs Research Group, I3B's - Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco GMR, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - Portuguese Government Associate Laboratory, 4805-017 Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
Abstract:
Clinical trials continue to fall short regarding drugs to effectively treat brain-affecting diseases. Although there are many causes of these shortcomings, the most relevant are the inability of most therapeutic agents to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the failure to translate effects from animal models to patients. In this review, we analyze the most recent developments in BBB, neural, and neurovascular models, analyzing their impact on the drug development process by considering their quantitative and phenotypical characterization. We offer a perspective of the state-of-the-art of the models that could revolutionize the pharmaceutical industry.
