title: An optically transparent membrane supports shear stress studies in a three-dimensional microfluidic neurovascular unit model.
abstract: We report a microfluidic blood-brain barrier model that enables both physiological shear stress and optical transparency throughout the device. Brain endothelial cells grown in an optically transparent membrane-integrated microfluidic device were able to withstand physiological fluid shear stress using a hydrophilized polytetrafluoroethylene nanoporous membrane instead of the more commonly used polyester membrane. A functional three-dimensional microfluidic co-culture model of the neurovascular unit is presented that incorporates astrocytes in a 3D hydrogel and enables physiological shear stress on the membrane-supported endothelial cell layer.
authors.affiliation: RTI International , Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709-2194, USA.
authors.forename: Katelyn L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Sellgren
authors.affiliation: RTI International , Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709-2194, USA.
authors.forename: Brian T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Hawkins
authors.affiliation: RTI International , Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709-2194, USA.
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grego