[Bioinks and in vitro neurovascular unit production - New prospects in Alzheimer's disease research].

[Bioinks and in vitro neurovascular unit production - New prospects in Alzheimer's disease research]. Hell J Nucl Med. 2019 Jan-Apr;22 Suppl:209-222 Authors: Lougiaki P, Tsolaki M, Pantazaki A Abstract Neurovascular dysfunction is a central process in the pathogenesis of the stroke and most neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. The multi-cell neurovascular unit (NVU) combines the components of the neural, vascular and extracellular matrix (ECM) into an important interface whose proper function is critical to maintaining brain health. Tissue engineering now offers new tools and information to promote understanding of NVU's operation. A promising area for the development of NVU models is their bio-production through 3D bio-printing to produce a multi-layered NVU in which the contribution of the different cell types to neurovascular function and dysfunction can be studied at molecular and cellular levels. Nerve and vascular cells are encapsulated in a construct suitable for their viability and growth. This construct, called "bioink", is a pre-gelled biomaterial, usually with encapsulated cells, which can be bio-printed and gelled to successfully form a solid construct. Bio-printing allows accurate placement of the neural and vascular cells to form appropriate interactions mimicking the in vivo state. Individual NVU cell types interact with the other cellular components of NVU through biochemical and physical markers...
Source: Hellenic Journal of Nuclear Medicine - Category: Nuclear Medicine Tags: Hell J Nucl Med Source Type: research