Korean researchers fromPohang University of Science and Technology（Postech）和Seoul National University(SNU) have used 3D bioprinting to create a biomimetic airway-on-a-chip.
This device, equipped with a天然衍生的血管网络, emulates biochemical responses and is used to study respiratory diseases. In theresearch article出版于Biofabrication,该研究的主要作者Ju Young Park解释说：
“我们复制了in-vivo- 像3D血管网络通过在一个步骤打印过程中使用DECM [脱细胞外基质]生物学的组装内皮细胞和成纤维细胞。”
“The structure we produced has the same physiological functions as the biological airway epithelium [surface tissue] and so can be used to model diseases like asthma.”
3D bioprinting respiratory systems
The research team was inspired to develop life-like airway models after observing the rising rate of air pollution, globally, which contributes to the number of people suffering from respiratory diseases.
借助此类芯片上的气道模型，研究人员可以观察和表征炎症性疾病，包括哮喘，慢性肺部疾病和鼻鼻炎 - 窦和鼻腔炎症。
根据帕克的说法，人类气道衬有称为上皮的表面细胞。这些细胞主要包含与基底膜连接的纤毛杯状和基底细胞。此外，在该膜下是lamina propria，a thin layer of loose connective tissue，其中包含血管和基质成纤维细胞。
“为模仿这种复杂的2D/3D结构和气道粘膜的细胞组成，我们在3D血管平台上组装了2D气道上皮，” Park补充说。
“我们重建了自然3D vascular networkby 3D cell printing the dECM bioink containing endothelial cells and fibroblasts.”
仿生3D细胞结构
该团队使用配备了六个分配头的内部3D生物生产商，能够成功地生产复杂的微观结构，复制自然组织中的细胞排列。
“The other four printing heads operate on a three-axis motorized stage and we control their movement using computer programs,” stated Park. “Two of the printing heads were connected to a pneumatic pressure-based system that dispenses a synthetic polymer to fabricate the supporting framework for the airway.”
Following their research, the team concluded, “that pathological interaction between the airway endothelium and the vascular network in the airway are reproducible in [the] airway-on-a-chip model, and that the exacerbation of inflammatory responses by the vascular networkin vivo也可再现体外。”
As such, the team believes the 3D cell printed airway-on-a-chip will be useful for animal models in analyzing diseases and testing the efficiency of drugs in the preclinical phase.
This technology will be commercialized byT＆R Biofab，韩国生物技术公司。
The research article,“通过3D电池打印开发功能性气道芯片,” is co-authored by Ju Young Park, Hyunryul Ryu, Byungjun Lee, Dong-Heon Ha, Minjun Ahn, Suryong Kim, Jae Yun Kim, Noo Li Jeon, and Dong-Woo Cho.
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Featured image shows a depiction of the 3D printed airway-on-chip. Image via Ju Young Park/ Seoul National University.
