Advances in in vitro blood-brain barrier models: Integrating bioprinting with microfluidic chips for compound evaluation

Abstract

The blood–brain barrier (BBB), a vital defense interface of the central nervous system, selectively regulates molecular transport into the brain and maintains brain homeostasis. Disruption of BBB integrity contributes to various neurological diseases, making the BBB a key target for therapeutic compounds. However, traditional in vitro models struggle to recreate the BBB’s complex structure and dynamic functions. Recent advances in microfluidics and three-dimensional bioprinting have enabled the construction of high-fidelity in vitro BBB models that recapitulate key aspects of the brain’s vascular microenvironment. By integrating principles from materials science, microfabrication, and cell biology, these “BBB‑on‑a‑chip” platforms support physiologically relevant shear stress, cell–cell interactions, and barrier properties, making them powerful tools for compound screening and mechanistic research. This review summarizes the advances in in vitro BBB models and the application of bioprinting and microfluidic technology for compound evaluation.  

Keywords

Bioprinting / Blood–brain barrier / Compound evaluation / In vitro model / Microfluidic chip

Funding

This work was supported by the Beijing Life Science Academy (2024400CB0060) and (2023600CA0080).

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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