Figure 1.
In vitro model of the BBB. Primary BMEC were cultured for 2 days in the presence of puromycin to yield a nearly 100% pure BMEC monolayer on the collagen IV/fibronectin-coated filter support. On DIV 2 BMEC were switched to puromycin-free medium. After reaching confluence on DIV 3, NPC were added to the lower compartment in the presence or absence of mitogens (FGF-2, EGF). The resulting co-cultures were used to assess NPC effects on the BBB properties of the BMEC monolayer.