The blood–brain barrier (BBB) consists of endothelial cells, astrocytes, and pericytes embedded in basal lamina (BL). Most in vitro models use nonhuman, monolayer cultures for therapeutic-delivery studies, relying on transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurements without other tight-junction (TJ) formation parameters. We aimed to develop reliable, reproducible, in vitro 3-dimensional (3D) models incorporating relevant human, in vivo cell types and BL proteins. The 3D BBB models were constructed with human brain endothelial cells, human astrocytes, and human brain pericytes in mono-, co-, and tricultures. TEER was measured in 3D models using a volt/ohmmeter and cellZscope. Influence of BL proteins—laminin, fibronectin, collagen type IV, agrin, and perlecan—on adhesion and TEER was assessed using an electric cell-substrate impedance–sensing system. TJ protein expression was assessed by Western blotting (WB) and immunocytochemistry (ICC). Perlecan (10 µg/ml) evoked unreportedly high, in vitro TEER values (1200 Ω) and the strongest adhesion. Coculturing endothelial cells with astrocytes yielded the greatest resistance over time. ICC and WB results correlated with resistance levels, with evidence of prominent occludin expression in cocultures. BL proteins exerted differential effects on TEER, whereas astrocytes in contact yielded higher TEER values and TJ expression.—Maherally, Z., Fillmore, H. L., Tan, S. L., Tan, S. F., Jassam, S. A., Quack, F. I., Hatherell, K. E., Pilkington, G. J. Real-time acquisition of transendothelial electrical resistance in an all-human, in vitro, 3-dimensional, blood–brain barrier model exemplifies tight-junction integrity.

Carbamzepine (CBZ) was encapsulated in a parenteral oil-in-water nanoemulsion, in an attempt to improve its bioavailability. The particle size, polydispersity index and zeta potential were measured using dynamic light scattering. Other parameters such as pH, osmolality, viscosity, drug loading efficiency and entrapment efficiency were also recorded. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that emulsion droplets were almost spherical in shape and in the nano-range. The in vitro release profile was best characterized by Higuchi's equation. The parenteral nanoemulsion of CBZ showed significantly higher AUC0→5, AUC0→∞, AUMC0→5, AUMC0→∞, Cmax and lower clearance than that of CBZ solution in plasma. Additionally, parenteral nanoemulsion of CBZ showed significantly higher AUC0→∞, AUMC0→∞ and Cmaxthan that of CBZ solution in brain. The parenteral nanoemulsion of CBZ could therefore use as a carrier, worth exploring further for brain targeting.

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