Astrocytes and human artificial blood-brain barrier models

Tanja Zidarič; Lidija Gradišnik; Tomaž Velnar

doi:10.17305/bjbms.2021.6943

Authors

Tanja Zidarič Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
Lidija Gradišnik Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6283-4348
Tomaž Velnar Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6283-4348

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17305/bjbms.2021.6943

Keywords:

Astrocytes, blood-brain barrier, in vitro models, bioengineering

Abstract

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) functions as a highly selective border of endothelial cells, protecting the central nervous system from potentially harmful substances by selectively controlling the entry of cells and molecules, including components of the immune system. To study the BBB properties, find suitable therapies, and identify new drug targets, there is a need to develop representative in vitro BBB models. In this article, we describe the astrocyte roles in the BBB functioning and human in vitro BBB models.