Bovine Tendon-Derived Extracellular Matrix Enhances the Growth and Proliferation of Cerebral Microvascular Endothelial Cells

The basement membrane surrounding the microvascular endothelial cells in the brain has an essential role in maintaining the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). To develop an in vitro BBB model, beyond having specific endothelial cells called cerebral microvascular endothelial cells and their junctions, recreating proper basement membrane using extracellular matrix (ECM) components is necessary. Accordingly, we attempted to extract the ECM of bovine tendon tissue. We used two decellularization methods: physical (lyophilization) and chemical (washing with triton x-۱۰۰), followed by protein solubilization in urea. Protein pattern was analyzed by SDS PAGE and measuring protein concentration using BCA kit indicated higher protein extraction yield from physical decellularization. Pre-coating the culture plates with sterilized extracted ECM showed an increase in the proliferation of the human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (hCMECs) in a dose-dependent manner. To verify the details of ECM mechanism of action on the BBB properties, more investigations on the BBB model’s functions/structure such as its angiogenesis, tight junction structure, and permeability rate are needed.

کلیدواژه ها:

Basement membrane ، Blood brain barrier ، Decellularization