Blood brain barrier modelling

The project aims to study the role of the blood-brain barrier in Parkinson´s disease. First, we study the contribution of LRRK2 G2019S mutation on iPSC-derived endothelial cells and astrocytes. Secondly, we aim to develop a 3D model of the BBB by using endothelial cells, pericytes, and astrocytes in microfluidic organ-on-chip platform. The organ-on-chip model provides a more realistic environment and allow 3D configuration of the native tissue architecture and cell-cell interactions. 

Publications

Wu, Y-C., Sonninen, TM., Peltonen, S., Koistinaho, J., Lehtonen, Š. 2021 Blood-brain barrier and neurodegenerative diseases-modeling with iPSC-derived brain cells. Int J Mol Sci. 22:7710. doi: 10.3390/ijms22147710.

Oikari, LE, Pandit, R., Cuní-López, C., Rantanen, LM, Quek, H., Lehtonen, Š., de Boer, CM, Polo, JM, Götz, J., Koistinaho, J. and White, AR. 2020 Brain endothelial cells carrying a familial Alzheimer’s mutation exhibit an altered phenotype and sustained permeability in response to focused ultrasound, with potential implications for amyloid clearance and drug delivery. Stem Cell Reports. 14(5):924-939. doi: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2020.03.011.