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A Physiological Microfluidic Blood-Brain-Barrier Model for In Vitro Study of Nanoparticle Trafficking and
Bryan B Nguyen1, Neona M Lowe1, Sophia Kellogg1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, USA.
Advanced Healthcare Materials
|March 21, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a microfluidic blood-brain barrier (mBBB) model to study nanoparticle (NP) transport. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) showed the highest brain penetration, driven by surface ligands, not size.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biotechnology
- Materials Science
Background:
- The blood-brain barrier (BBB) limits molecular entry into the brain.
- Nanoparticles (NPs) are found in the brain, but transport mechanisms are unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an in vitro model of the BBB for studying NP transport.
- To compare the brain penetration of different NPs.
Main Methods:
- Developed a microfluidic BBB (mBBB) model using human cells and extracellular matrix.
- Utilized high-resolution imaging to assess NP transport and accumulation.
- Compared trafficking of liposomes, nanoplastics, and extracellular vesicles (EVs).
Main Results:
- The mBBB model replicated key BBB features like selective permeability.
- Heterologous EVs demonstrated the highest transport efficiency across the mBBB.
- Ligand presentation and membrane composition, not size or stiffness, influenced BBB penetration.
Conclusions:
- The mBBB platform is a valuable tool for studying nanoparticle-BBB interactions.
- Findings offer insights into nanoparticle drug delivery and neurotoxicity screening.
- Surface properties are key determinants of NP brain penetration.
