The Investigation of neurogenesis and angiogenesis model for constructing neurovascular unit

Abstract

[Introduction] Neurovascular unit (NVU) is composed of neural cells, blood vessels and extracellular matrix. Although functions of neural cells have been investigated at the single-cell level, those at the multi-cellular level are not clear. Here, we investigated conditions for the coculture of neural stem cells (NSCs) and brain endothelial cells (ECs) to construct NVU by using a microfluidic device. [Methods] Microfluidic devices which have a central channel sandwiched by two parallel microchannels were used in this study. After injecting gel scaffolds into the central channel, NSCs or ECs were seeded into one of the microchannels. The effect of gel compositions on neurogenesis and angiogenesis was investigated. [Results and Discussion] NSCs or ECs were cultured in different gel compositions in a microfluidic device. Three-dimensional neurite extension and capillary formation were promoted in fibrin-Matrigel mixed gel. These results suggested that this culture condition is useful to construct NVU in a microfluidic device.