Vascular Hyperpermeability

Book excerpt: This volume focuses on the latest research methods and techniques used by researchers to study vascular permeability/hyperpermeability in a science laboratory setting. The chapters in this book cover topics such as determination of solute permeability of microvascular endothelial cell monolayers in vitro; evaluation of barrier integrity used in a two-layered microfluidic device mimicking the blood-brain barrier; isolation and culture of human umbilical vein endothelial cells; measurement of blood-brain barrier hyperpermeability using Evans Blue extravasation assay; lymphatic vascular permeability determined from direct measurements of solute flux; intravital imaging of leukocyte-endothelial interaction by intravital multiphoton microscopy; and evaluation of tight junction integrity in brain endothelial cells using confocal microscopy. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Thorough and cutting-edge, Vascular Hyperpermeability: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource that will aid novice researchers with creating new and affordable research projects, and for expert researchers to initiate new strategies and collaborations in their ongoing programs.