A new innovative platform for examining neuroinflammatory diseases has been created using cutting-edge 3D bioprinting technology.
Research teams, led by Professor Jinah Jang from POSTECH’s Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Life Sciences, IT Convergence Engineering, and the Graduate School of Convergence, along with Professor Sun Ha Paek from the Department of Neurosurgery at Seoul National University Hospital, have successfully developed a 3D model that precisely imitates the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) in a laboratory setting. This research has been featured in Biomaterials Research, a respected international journal focusing on materials science.
Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are characterized by the gradual deterioration of brain and nervous system functions, often related to aging. Chronic neuroinflammation, a significant contributing factor to these diseases, originates from the complex interactions between brain blood vessels and neural cells, with the BBB playing a crucial regulatory role. Unfortunately, current BBB models have not been able to recreate the intricate three-dimensional structure of brain blood vessels, which presents considerable obstacles in research and drug development.
To overcome these challenges, the research team devised a cerebrovascular-specific bioink termed “decellularized extracellular matrix” (CBVdECM), extracted from pig brain and blood vessels. They also utilized 3D bioprinting technology to create a tubular vascular model that accurately reflects the anatomical structure and function of the human BBB.
A standout characteristic of this model is its ability to form a dual-layered structure spontaneously, without external assistance. When “HBMEC (human brain microvascular endothelial cells)” and “HBVP (human brain vascular pericytes)” were mixed into the CBVdECM bioink and printed, the endothelial cells naturally assembled into the inner layer of the blood vessel wall, while the pericytes formed an outer layer. This process resulted in the development of a dual-layered structure that closely mimics the actual architecture of blood vessels.
Moreover, the research team was able to replicate the formation and arrangement of “tight junction proteins,” which are usually missing in standard 2D models. They also assessed BBB permeability and inflammatory reactions following exposure to inflammation-triggering agents (TNF-α and IL-1β). This method allowed for accurate modeling of neuroinflammatory processes, providing valuable insights into how BBB dysfunction and inflammation contribute to the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders.
Professor Sun Ha Paek from Seoul National University Hospital remarked, “This study establishes an essential platform for exploring the pathological mechanisms underlying neuroinflammation and for developing innovative therapeutic approaches.” Professor Jinah Jang from POSTECH also noted, “Our goal is to incorporate additional cell types, including glial cells, neurons, and immune cells, to enhance techniques for measuring inflammatory responses and permeability while also broadening the scope to models specific to patient diseases.”
This research was backed by the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy, the Korea Planning & Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology’s Industrial Technology Alchemist Project, and the National Research Foundation of Korea’s University-Focused Research Institute Support Program.
