Recent research shows the SARS-CoV2 virus penetrates the blood-brain barrier (BBB), causing neurological damage. Patients have reported both short-term and long-term neurological issues stemming from the virus.
SARS-CoV2 enters the central nervous system (CNS) by binding to the ACE-2 receptors on human brain endothelial cells (HBECs) and human astrocytes (HAs) that form the BBB. After infecting HBECs and HAs, the virus alters the tight junctions of the BBB to pass through and infect microglia of the CNS (Reynolds et al. 2021).
Neuromics 3D human blood-brain barrier model (cat. no. 3D45002) is the perfect tool for researchers studying the virus' impact on the brain, as we continue to generate data demonstrating that our model truly mimics the properties of the BBB. Our model is developed to be highly reproducible, utilizing co-cultures of our human brain microvascular endothelial cells (cat. no. HEC02), human brain astrocytes (cat. no. HMP202), and human brain microvascular pericytes (cat. no. HMP104) layered in inserts to form the same tight junctions present in the BBB.
Image: ACE-2 staining (red) and DAPI nuclear counterstain (blue) of the endothelial cells (HEC02) on the bottom of the inserts. Images collected on a microscope.
Read more to learn about the new data...
Earlier this week, we used IHC staining to check for ACE-2 expression in HBECs on the bottom of the inserts. Our results (see the image below) demonstrate that HBECs in our model express ACE-2, just as HBECs in the BBB in vivo.
While testing for ACE-2 expression, we received results (linked here) confirming the transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) of our activated BBB model is in line with the BBB in vivo. Testing the TEER in all six inserts of our 12 well BBB model, we found that the TEER had a range of 165.66 Ω x cm2 to 270.93 Ω x cm2. With all readings exceeding the 150 Ω x cm2 minimum, our model further demonstrated its viability.
Explore all data and learn more about our 3D human BBB model here. You can explore all of our human cells & tissues as well. If you have any questions or are interested in ordering, contact Pete at pshuster@neuromics.com.
Citation:
Reynolds, Jessica L., and Supriya D. Mahajan. "SARS-COV2 Alters Blood Brain Barrier Integrity Contributing to Neuro-Inflammation." Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology 16.1 (2021): 4-6.