Experimental Models for Assaying Microvascular Endothelial Cell Pathophysiology in Stroke.docVIP

Molecules 2010, 15, 9104-9134; doi:10.3390/moleculeOPEN ACCESS molecules ISSN 1420-3049 /journal/molecules Review Experimental Models for Assaying Microvascular Endothelial Cell Pathophysiology in Stroke Susanna Camós and Judith Mallolas * Department of Neurology, Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IdIBGi), Dr. Josep Trueta University Hospital, Av de Fran?a s/n, 17007 Girona, Spain; E-Mail: scamos.girona.ics@gencat.cat (S.C.) * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: jmallolas.girona.ics@gencat.cat; Tel.: +34-972-94-02-62; Fax: +34-972-22-82-96. Received: 29 October 2010; in revised form: 29 November 2010 / Accepted: 8 December 2010/ Published: 10 December 2010 Abstract: It is important to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying neuron death following stroke in order to develop effective neuroprotective strategies. Since studies on human stroke are extremely limited due to the difficulty in collecting post-mortem tissue at different time points after the onset of stroke, brain ischaemia research focuses on information derived from in-vitro models of neuronal death through ischaemic injury [1]. This review aims to provide an update on the different in-vitro stroke models with brain microvascular endothelial cells that are currently being used. These models provide a physiologically relevant tool to screen potential neuroprotective drugs in stroke and to study the molecular mechanisms involved in brain ischaemia. Keywords: neuroprotection; blood brain barrier; brain endothelial cells; cerebral ischaemia; angiogenesis 1. Introduction 1.1. Neuroprotection in Cerebral Ischaemia Neurodegenerative disorders and chronic disability due to stroke affect a large sector of the population. The identification of multiple molecular mechanisms and mediators of ischaemic brain injury constituting potential targets of neuroprotection and the develop