Modeling Central Nervous System Injury In Vitro: Current Status and Promising Future Strategies

The central nervous system (CNS) injury, which occurs because of mechanical trauma or ischemia/hypoxia, is one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity in the modern society. Until know, despite the fact that numerous preclinical and clinical studies have been undertaken, no significant neuroprotective strategies have been discovered that could be used in the brain trauma or ischemia treatment. Although there are many potential explanations for the failure of those studies, it is clear that there are questions regarding the use of experimental models, both in vivo and in vitro, when studying CNS injury and searching new therapeutics. Due to some ethical issues with the use of live animals in biomedical research, implementation of experimental strategies that prioritize the use of cells and tissues in the in vitro environment has been encouraged. In this review, we examined some of the most commonly used in vitro models and the most frequently utilized cellular platforms in the research of traumatic brain injury and cerebral ischemia. We also proposed some future strategies that could improve the usefulness of these studies for better bench-to-bedside translational outcomes.

Automated summary

CNS injury, caused by trauma or ischemia/hypoxia, is a major cause of mortality and morbidity. Despite numerous studies, no effective neuroprotective strategies have been found for brain trauma or ischemia treatment. The use of experimental models, both in vivo and in vitro, has raised questions in the study of CNS injury. Ethical concerns have led to the encouragement of in vitro studies using cells and tissues. This review discusses commonly used in vitro models and cellular platforms for research on traumatic brain injury and cerebral ischemia, and proposes future strategies for better translational outcomes from bench to bedside.