Use of the MicroSiM (µSiM) Barrier Tissue Platform for Modeling the Blood-Brain Barrier

We are developing a tissue GI model of the blood-brain barrier to understand the impact of sepsis on the brain and the contribution of blood-borne factors. Using human-induced pluripotent stem cells. We plan on evaluating the contribution of genetic factors to the susceptibility of certain patient populations.

Current experimental challenges within the tissue chip community are the reproducibility of results and the adoption of techniques by outside labs. Unique tissue chip designs, small volumes within tissue chips, and lack of standard functional assays all contribute to these challenges and often limit users to fluorescent based assays as their primary output. Micro simm devices offer modularity for versatile in vitro modeling, a glass light surface ideal for high resolution lifestyle imaging and ultra syn 100 nanometer, highly produced nano membrane, ensuring seamless soluble factor crosstalk and precise permeability assays.

With the micro simm, we have seen that specific cell types tend to produce more of the matrix proteins that provide a supporting scaffold around brain blood vessels. Now we can ask whether inflammation causes these same cells to strengthen or break down their matrices, thereby altering barrier integrity. In the future, we will add another compartment to the model with green cells such as astrocytes and microglia to study how those cells interact with the blood-brain barrier in cases of systemic inflammation like sepsis.

We also plan to investigate additional causes of systemic inflammation like postoperative delirium, superimposed on dementia.