Machine Design – May 2019

News

MODEL THAT SIMULATES the Brain’s Protection Helps Test Neuro Drugs

UP TO 1 BILLION PEOPLE—nearly one in six of the world’s popula-

tion—suffer from neurological disorders. The number of people

with those disorders, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s dis-

ease, has been steadily increasing in recent decades.

Drug discovery and development to control or reverse these

diseases have been increased. However, these efforts have been

slow to be translated into clinical practices and medications be-

cause of several challenges.

One significant challenge has been the lack of a cell-based

model that predicts if specific chemical compounds can perme-

ate the blood-brain barrier, which lies between the brain’s blood

vessels and cells and other components that make up brain tis-

sue. It protects the brain from harmful chemicals and diseases

arising from infections while letting nutrients reach the brain.

Current models do not accurately depict the way the barrier

acts. “We developed a model that represents a more restrictive

and accurate model of the blood brain barrier,” says Purdue pro-

fessor Greg Knipp. “Our model is a direct-contact, triculture model

containing astrocytes, pericytes, and the brain microvessel endo-

thelial cells set up similar to what you would find in a human brain.”

The biggest advantage of the new model is that the three cell

types can make direct contact and better mimic the way they in-

teract in the body. In the conventional models, the three cell types

are separated by a filter when cultured together.

“Our model allows for a better depiction of the synergistic in-

teractions between the three components and how they interact

together and potentially with new drugs,” says Knipp.

The Purdue researchers say their model can screen com-

pounds to determine which have the highest potential for suc-

cess in clinical studies.

“We can more accurately predict how drugs and other com-

pounds may cross the blood-brain barrier earlier in the discovery

process and potentially treat brain disorders, because our model

better resembles the actual setup within the body,” says Purdue

researcher Kelsey Lubin. 

A research team at Purdue developed a model that represents a more

restrictive and accurate model of the blood-brain barrier.

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MAY 2019 MACHINE DESIGN