Applications and Considerations for Microfluidic Systems To Model the Blood-Brain Barrier

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Brain diseases often involve pathological biomarkers linked to cerebral blood flow and vasculature.
• The precise relationship between vascular dysfunction and brain disease markers remains unclear.
• The blood-brain barrier (BBB) poses a significant challenge for delivering therapeutics to the brain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the necessity and challenges of modeling the BBB.
• To explore the utility of in vitro BBB models for disease research and therapeutic screening.
• To discuss advancements in microfluidic BBB models for enhanced physiological relevance.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on BBB modeling.
• Focus on in vitro models, particularly microfluidic platforms.
• Discussion of advancements in cell culture, biomaterials, and microfluidic technology.

Main Results:

• In vitro BBB models facilitate the study of vascular dysfunction, BBB function, and disease.
• Microfluidic BBB models mimic in vivo flow and stress conditions.
• Emerging microfluidic models offer increased complexity and physiological relevance.

Conclusions:

• Microfluidic BBB models are valuable tools for drug development and disease modeling.
• Continued innovation is needed to enhance the capabilities of these models.
• Advanced BBB models will accelerate the understanding and treatment of neurological disorders.