Human fetal astrocytes induce the expression of blood-brain barrier specific proteins by autologous endothelial cells

doi:10.1016/0006-8993(93)91064-Y

Brain Research

Volume 625, Issue 2, 22 October 1993, Pages 238-243

https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-8993(93)91064-Y Get rights and content

Abstract

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is involved in many normal regulatory mechanisms as well as in pathologic conditions of the central nervous system. Previous studies examining the development and function of the BBB in vitro have primarily utilized cell lines or cultured tissues from non-human sources. In contrast, this study used a coculture system of human fetal astrocytes and autologous endothelial cells. Astrocytes and endothelial cells (EC) were isolated and cultured on the opposite sides of a synthetic permeable membrane. The cocultures were characterized by electron and light microscopy for morphology and by immunocytochemistry for cell-type specific markers. Using these coculture conditions, astrocytes displayed characteristic morphology and expressed glial fibrillary acidic protein. When cocultured with astrocytes, endothelial cells retained factor VIII expression and expressed the BBB-specific proteins, brain-type glucose transporter (GLUT-1) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. This expression was dependent on EC being in close apposition to or in direct contact with astrocytes. The model presented in this study may permit further examination of the role of the BBB in both normal human neurodevelopment and neuropathologic conditions.

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Human fetal astrocytes induce the expression of blood-brain barrier specific proteins by autologous endothelial cells

Abstract

Dev. Brain Res.

Semin. Neurosci.

Brain Res.

Brain Res.

J. Biol. Chem.

Res. Virol.

J. Neurol. Sci.

Trend. Neurol. Sci.

J. Neuroimmunol.

Brain Res.

Primary culture of capillary endothelium from rat brain

In Vitro

Brain microvessel endothelial cells in tissue culture: a model for study of the blood-brain barrier permeability

Ann. Neurol.

γGlutamyl transpeptidase in isolated brain endothelial cells: induction by glial cellsin vitro

Science

An easier, reproducible and mass-production method to study the blood-brain barrierin vitro

J. Neurochem.

Formation of a barrier by brain microvessel endothelial cells in culture

FASEB J.

Culture and characterization of microvascular endothelial cells derived from human brain

Lab. Invest.

Endothelial cell-astrocyte interactions: a cellular model of the blood-brain barrier

Ann. NY Acad. Sci.

Long term growth of human umbilical vein endothelial cells

In Vitro