In vitro models of blood-brain barrier set by co-culturing primary pericytes, astrocytes and brain capillary endothelial cells

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is formed by brain capillary endothelial cells (BCECs) under the effects of the brain microenvironment. BCECs are sealed together by tight junctions (TJs) [2]. We previously found that occludin, one of the main TJ components, is correctly localized at the cell periphery only if BCECs are co-cultured with neurons/astrocytes [1-2]. Moreover, pericytes induce PLA2 protein expression through activation of PKCalpha and the MAPK/ERK cascade in immortalized GP8.3 endothelial cells [3]. In the present work, we analyzed the effects of pericytes and/or astrocytes on survival and differentiation of primary endothelial cells, in the presence of a serum-free medium. To test…