Second-generation lung-on-a-chip with an array of stretchable alveoli made with a biological membrane

Commun Biol. 2021 Feb 5;4(1):168. doi: 10.1038/s42003-021-01695-0.

Abstract

The air-blood barrier with its complex architecture and dynamic environment is difficult to mimic in vitro. Lung-on-a-chips enable mimicking the breathing movements using a thin, stretchable PDMS membrane. However, they fail to reproduce the characteristic alveoli network as well as the biochemical and physical properties of the alveolar basal membrane. Here, we present a lung-on-a-chip, based on a biological, stretchable and biodegradable membrane made of collagen and elastin, that emulates an array of tiny alveoli with in vivo-like dimensions. This membrane outperforms PDMS in many ways: it does not absorb rhodamine-B, is biodegradable, is created by a simple method, and can easily be tuned to modify its thickness, composition and stiffness. The air-blood barrier is reconstituted using primary lung alveolar epithelial cells from patients and primary lung endothelial cells. Typical alveolar epithelial cell markers are expressed, while the barrier properties are preserved for up to 3 weeks.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alveolar Epithelial Cells / cytology
  • Alveolar Epithelial Cells / physiology
  • Blood-Air Barrier / cytology
  • Blood-Air Barrier / physiology
  • Cell Communication / physiology
  • Cell Membrane Permeability / physiology
  • Coculture Techniques / instrumentation
  • Coculture Techniques / methods
  • Elasticity / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Lab-On-A-Chip Devices*
  • Lung / cytology*
  • Lung / physiology
  • Membranes, Artificial*
  • Microtechnology
  • Primary Cell Culture / instrumentation
  • Primary Cell Culture / methods
  • Pulmonary Alveoli / cytology
  • Pulmonary Alveoli / physiology*
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Tissue Engineering / instrumentation
  • Tissue Engineering / methods
  • Tissue Scaffolds / chemistry

Substances

  • Membranes, Artificial