A CSF Outflow In Vitro Model

Team achieves IH research milestone

Pia-arachnoid cells, also known as “cap cells,”are located at the top of the arachnoid granulations and are thought to control the unidirectional CSF flow through the arachnoid granulations. In order to better understand this process, the Gryzbowski/Katz research team at Ohio State focused on growing cap cells in their lab to create the first CSF outflow in vitro model.

David Holman, M.S., a member of the Gryzbowski/ Katz research team and the lead author on this particular study, explained how cap cells were grown. Using donated brain tissue collected at autopsy, samples were transferred to cell culture plates, where cell growth occurred in seven to ten days. The newly
grown cap cells were checked for certain proteins to determine if the cultured cells identically mimicked cap cells found in humans.

The cultured cap cells were also grown on a special filter membrane designed to measure hydraulic conductivity. The cells were perfused at a fixed pressure and their hydraulic conductivity was successfully measured, indicating a successful in vitro model, as well. Future studies of the CSF outflow in vitro model’s hydraulic conductivity will test a variety of different conditions including increased fluid pressure and the effect of Vitamin A.