Open Source Board Based Acoustofluidic Transwells for Reversible Disruption of the Blood-Brain Barrier for Therapeutic Delivery

Abstract

Background Blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a crucial but dynamic structure that functions as a gatekeeper for the central nervous system (CNS). Managing sufficient substances across the BBB is a major challenge, especially in the development of therapeutics for CNS disorders. Methods To achieve an efficient, fast and safe strategy for BBB opening, an acoustofluidic transwell (AFT) was developed for reversible disruption of the BBB. The proposed AFT was consisted of a transwell insert where the BBB model was established, and a surface acoustic wave (SAW) transducer realized using open-source electronics based on printed circuit board techniques. Results In the AFT device, the SAW produced acousto-mechanical stimulations to the BBB model resulting in decreased transendothelial electrical resistance in a dose dependent manner, indicating the disruption of the BBB. Moreover, SAW stimulation enhanced transendothelial permeability to sodium fluorescein and FITC-dextran with various molecular weight in the AFT device. Further study indicated BBB opening was attributed to the apparent stretching of intercellular spaces. An in vivo study using a zebrafish model demonstrated SAW exposure promoted penetration of sodium fluorescein to the CNS. Conclusions In summary, AFT effectively disrupts the BBB under the SAW stimulation, which is promising as a new drug delivery methodology for neurodegenerative diseases.

Potential therapeutic strategies to halt viral neuroinvasion

“…Recent advances in materials science and nanotechnology have provided advanced materials with customized structures and properties for targeted drug delivery across BBB. Several emerging methods, such as ligand conjugation, stimuli‐triggered BBB disruption, membrane coating, intranasal administration, passive transcytosis, surface acoustic wave stimulation, and others show promise in overcoming obstacles to transport drugs across the BBB 76–78 . Adopting these strategies for enhanced penetration of currently available drugs against viral neuroinvasiveness can certainly be beneficial.…”