We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
A physiological microfluidic blood-brain-barrier model for in vitro study of nanoparticle trafficking and accumulation
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a physiological microfluidic blood-brain barrier model using human brain endothelial cells in direct contact with astrocytes and pericytes in an extracellular matrix. They used the model to study how nanoparticles including nanoplastics traffic across the barrier, finding that particle type and size influenced transcytosis rates.
Abstract Although the blood-brain barrier (BBB) restricts passage of most molecules, various naturally occurring and synthetic nanoparticles are nonetheless found within the brain parenchyma. To study the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon, we developed a microfluidic BBB model (mBBB) using human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (HCMECs) in direct contact with primary human astrocytes and pericytes within a physiologically relevant extracellular matrix. The horizontal architecture enables high-resolution imaging across the full barrier interface and allows direct assessment of nanoparticle transport and accumulation. This in vitro platform recapitulates key features of the BBB, including selective permeability, junctional protein expression, and receptor-mediated uptake pathways. Using this system, the trafficking and accumulation of structurally distinct nanoparticles, including liposomes, nanoplastics, and extracellular vesicles (EVs), were compared. Among these, heterologous EVs exhibit the highest transport efficiency. Analysis of nanoparticle properties suggest that ligand presentation and membrane composition, rather than size or stiffness, primarily govern BBB penetration. The mBBB platform provides a high-throughput, imaging-based framework to systematically interrogate nanoparticle trafficking across the BBB and offers a translational tool for both drug delivery and neurotoxicity screening.
More Papers Like This
A Physiological Microfluidic Blood–Brain‐Barrier Model for In Vitro Study of Nanoparticle Trafficking and Accumulation
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a microfluidic blood-brain barrier model using human endothelial cells, astrocytes, and pericytes to compare nanoparticle transport, finding that extracellular vesicles crossed most efficiently and that ligand presentation and membrane composition — not size or stiffness — were the primary determinants of barrier penetration.
Towards the development and applications of blood-brain barrier in vitro models for neurotoxicity assessment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed the current state of in vitro blood-brain barrier models and their utility for evaluating the neurotoxic potential of environmental contaminants including micro- and nanoplastics. The review identifies validation challenges and argues for more human-relevant model systems to close gaps in regulatory neurotoxicity assessment.
Polystyrene nanoplastic-encapsulated extracellular vesicles promote blood-brain barrier breakdown and accumulate in the brain.
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that extracellular vesicles encapsulating polystyrene nanoplastics prolonged intracellular retention in human endothelial cells, caused a 2.8-fold greater decline in blood-brain barrier electrical resistance than free nanoplastics alone, and promoted brain accumulation in vivo — implicating vesicle-mediated transport as a significant route for nanoplastic neurological entry.
Crossing barriers – tracking micro- and nanoplastic pathways into the human brain
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tracked potential pathways by which micro- and nanoplastics may enter the human brain, examining both in vitro cell models and post-mortem brain tissue. They found that human monocytes rapidly internalized polystyrene particles into endocytic vesicles and mitochondria, and detected plastic particles in brain tissue samples, providing evidence that nanoplastics may be capable of crossing brain barriers.
Mechanisms of micro- and nanoplastics on blood-brain barrier crossing and neurotoxicity: Current evidence and future perspectives
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines evidence that micro- and nanoplastics can cross the blood-brain barrier, the protective shield around the brain, through multiple pathways including disrupting the barrier's tight junctions and being transported inside cells. Once in the brain, these particles may cause damage through oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and disrupted iron metabolism, with effects worsened when plastics carry other pollutants like heavy metals.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.