Microfluidic Model of the Blood Brain Barrier
The invention relates to culturing brain endothelial cells, and optionally astrocytes and neurons in a fluidic device under conditions whereby the cells mimic the structure and function of the blood brain barrier. Culture of such cells in a microfluidic device, whether alone or in combination with other cells, drives maturation and/or differentiation further than existing systems.
1 - 57 . (canceled)
58 . A microfluidic culture of neurons in contact with flowing media, wherein said neurons are cultured in a microchannel or on a membrane of a microfluidic chip, wherein said neurons exhibit a more mature electrophysiology as compared to the same neurons cultured in a static culture.
59 . The microfluidic culture of claim 58 , wherein said neurons are iPSC-derived neurons.
60 . The microfluidic culture of claim 59 , wherein said iPSC-derived neurons are motor neurons.
61 . (canceled)
62 . (canceled)
63 . A microfluidic co-culture of neurons with vascular cells, wherein said neurons and vascular cells are in contact with flowing culture media, wherein said neurons exhibit a more mature electrophysiology as compared to the same neurons cultured in a static culture.
64 . The microfluidic co-culture of claim 63 , wherein said vascular cells are iPSC-derived vascular cells.
65 . The microfluidic co-culture of claim 64 , wherein said iPSC-derived vascular cells are brain microvascular endothelial cells.
66 . The microfluidic co-culture of claim 63 , wherein said neurons are iPSC-derived neurons.
67 . The microfluidic co-culture of claim 66 , wherein said iPSC-derived neurons are motor neurons.
68 . The microfluidic co-culture of claim 63 , wherein said neurons are iPSC-derived neurons and said vascular cells are iPSC-derived vascular cells.
69 . The microfluidic co-culture of claim 63 , wherein said vascular cells are co-cultured with said neurons in a microchannel or on a membrane of a microfluidic chip.
70 . The microfluidic co-culture of claim 69 , wherein said microfluidic chip comprises two microchannels separated by a porous membrane having first and second surfaces, wherein said neurons are cultured on said first surface and said vascular cells are cultured on said second surface.
71 . The microfluidic co-culture of claim 63 , wherein at least a portion of said neurons and vascular cells are in contact with each other.
72 . (canceled)
73 . (canceled)
74 . The microfluidic co-culture of claim 68 , wherein the neurons and vascular cells are generated from the stem cells of the same person.
75 . The microfluidic co-culture of claim 68 , wherein the neurons and vascular cells are generated from the stem cells of the same patient.
76 . The microfluidic co-culture of claim 75 , wherein the patient has symptoms of a CNS disorder.
77 . The microfluidic co-culture of claim 76 , wherein said CNS disorder is a neurodegenerative disease.
78 . The microfluidic co-culture of claim 77 , wherein the neurodegenerative disease is ALS.
79 . The microfluidic co-culture of claim 77 , wherein the neurodegenerative disease is Parkinson's disease.
80 . The microfluidic co-culture of claim 76 , wherein the CNS disorder is Alzheimer's disease.