1
|
Buckley A, Guo C, Laycock A, Cui X, Belinga-Desaunay-Nault MF, Valsami-Jones E, Leonard M, Smith R. Aerosol exposure at air-liquid-interface (AE-ALI) in vitro toxicity system characterisation: Particle deposition and the importance of air control responses. Toxicol In Vitro 2024; 100:105889. [PMID: 38971396 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2024.105889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
Experimental systems allowing aerosol exposure (AE) of cell cultures at the air-liquid-interface (ALI) are increasingly being used to assess the toxicity of inhaled contaminants as they are more biomimetic than standard methods using submerged cultures, however, they require detailed characterisation before use. An AE-ALI system combining aerosol generation with a CULTEX® exposure chamber was characterised with respect to particle deposition and the cellular effects of filtered air (typical control) exposures. The effect of system parameters (electrostatic precipitator voltage, air flowrate to cells and insert size) on deposition efficiency and spatial distribution were investigated using ICP-MS and laser ablation ICP-MS, for an aerosol of CeO2 nanoparticles. Deposition varied with conditions, but appropriate choice of operating parameters produced broadly uniform deposition at suitable levels. The impact of air exposure duration on alveolar cells (A549) and primary small airway epithelial cells (SAECs) was explored with respect to LDH release and expression of selected genes. Results indicated that air exposures could have a significant impact on cells (e.g., cytotoxicity and expression of genes, including CXCL1, HMOX1, and SPP1) at relatively short durations (from 10 mins) and that SAECs were more sensitive. These findings indicate that detailed system characterisation is essential to ensure meaningful results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alison Buckley
- Toxicology Department, Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards Directorate (RCE), UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX11 0RQ, UK; The National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Environmental Exposures and Health (EEH) at Imperial College London in Partnership with UKHSA, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Michael Uren Biomedical Engineering Hub, White City Campus, Wood Lane, W12 OBZ, UK
| | - Chang Guo
- Toxicology Department, Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards Directorate (RCE), UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX11 0RQ, UK; The National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Environmental Exposures and Health (EEH) at Imperial College London in Partnership with UKHSA, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Michael Uren Biomedical Engineering Hub, White City Campus, Wood Lane, W12 OBZ, UK
| | - Adam Laycock
- Toxicology Department, Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards Directorate (RCE), UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX11 0RQ, UK; The National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Environmental Exposures and Health (EEH) at Imperial College London in Partnership with UKHSA, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Michael Uren Biomedical Engineering Hub, White City Campus, Wood Lane, W12 OBZ, UK
| | - Xianjin Cui
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; Nanodot Limited, Loughborough LE11 4NT, UK
| | | | - Eugenia Valsami-Jones
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Martin Leonard
- Toxicology Department, Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards Directorate (RCE), UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX11 0RQ, UK; The National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Environmental Exposures and Health (EEH) at Imperial College London in Partnership with UKHSA, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Michael Uren Biomedical Engineering Hub, White City Campus, Wood Lane, W12 OBZ, UK
| | - Rachel Smith
- Toxicology Department, Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards Directorate (RCE), UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire OX11 0RQ, UK; The National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Environmental Exposures and Health (EEH) at Imperial College London in Partnership with UKHSA, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Michael Uren Biomedical Engineering Hub, White City Campus, Wood Lane, W12 OBZ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Loncarevic I, Mutlu S, Dzepic M, Keshavan S, Petri-Fink A, Blank F, Rothen-Rutishauser B. Current Challenges to Align Inflammatory Key Events in Animals and Lung Cell Models In Vitro. Chem Res Toxicol 2024. [PMID: 39115970 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.4c00113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
With numerous novel and innovative in vitro models emerging every year to reduce or replace animal testing, there is an urgent need to align the design, harmonization, and validation of such systems using in vitro-in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE) approaches. In particular, in inhalation toxicology, there is a lack of predictive and prevalidated in vitro lung models that can be considered a valid alternative for animal testing. The predictive power of such models can be enhanced by applying the Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOP) framework, which casually links key events (KE) relevant to IVIVE. However, one of the difficulties identified is that the endpoint analysis and readouts of specific assays in in vitro and animal models for specific toxicants are currently not harmonized, making the alignment challenging. We summarize the current state of the art in endpoint analysis in the two systems, focusing on inflammatory-induced effects and providing guidance for future research directions to improve the alignment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isidora Loncarevic
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Seyran Mutlu
- Lung Precision Medicine (LPM), Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department for Pulmonary Medicine, Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Martina Dzepic
- Lung Precision Medicine (LPM), Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department for Pulmonary Medicine, Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sandeep Keshavan
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Alke Petri-Fink
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
- Chemistry Department, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 9, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Fabian Blank
- Lung Precision Medicine (LPM), Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department for Pulmonary Medicine, Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Portugal J, Bedia C, Amato F, Juárez-Facio AT, Stamatiou R, Lazou A, Campiglio CE, Elihn K, Piña B. Toxicity of airborne nanoparticles: Facts and challenges. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 190:108889. [PMID: 39042967 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
Air pollution is one of the most severe environmental healthhazards, and airborne nanoparticles (diameter <100 nm) are considered particularly hazardous to human health. They are produced by various sources such as internal combustion engines, wood and biomass burning, and fuel and natural gas combustion, and their origin, among other parameters, determines their intrinsic toxicity for reasons that are not yet fully understood. Many constituents of the nanoparticles are considered toxic or at least hazardous, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metal compounds, in addition to gaseous pollutants present in the aerosol fraction, such as NOx, SO2, and ozone. All these compounds can cause oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, inflammation in the lungs and other tissues, and cellular organelles. Epidemiological investigations concluded that airborne pollution may affect the respiratory, cardiovascular, and nervous systems. Moreover, particulate matter has been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer, a carcinogenic effect not related to DNA damage, but to the cellular inflammatory response to the pollutants, in which the release of cytokines promotes the proliferation of pre-existing mutated cancer cells. The mechanisms behind toxicity can be investigated experimentally using cell cultures or animal models. Methods for gathering particulate matter have been explored, but standardized protocols are needed to ensure that the samples accurately represent chemical mixtures in the environment. Toxic constituents of nanoparticles can be studied in animal and cellular models, but designing realistic exposure settings is challenging. The air-liquid interface (ALI) system directly exposes cells, mimicking particle inhalation into the lungs. Continuous research and monitoring of nanoparticles and other airborne pollutants is essential for understanding their effects and developing active strategies to mitigate their risks to human and environmental health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José Portugal
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, CSIC, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Carmen Bedia
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, CSIC, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fulvio Amato
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, CSIC, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana T Juárez-Facio
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 11419 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rodopi Stamatiou
- School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Antigone Lazou
- School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Chiara E Campiglio
- Department of Management, Information and Production Engineering, University of Bergamo, 24044 Dalmine, BG, Italy
| | - Karine Elihn
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 11419 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Benjamin Piña
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, CSIC, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Woodward IR, Fromen CA. Recent Developments in Aerosol Pulmonary Drug Delivery: New Technologies, New Cargos, and New Targets. Annu Rev Biomed Eng 2024; 26:307-330. [PMID: 38424089 PMCID: PMC11222059 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-bioeng-110122-010848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
There is nothing like a global pandemic to motivate the need for improved respiratory treatments and mucosal vaccines. Stimulated by the COVID-19 pandemic, pulmonary aerosol drug delivery has seen a flourish of activity, building on the prior decades of innovation in particle engineering, inhaler device technologies, and clinical understanding. As such, the field has expanded into new directions and is working toward the efficient delivery of increasingly complex cargos to address a wider range of respiratory diseases. This review seeks to highlight recent innovations in approaches to personalize inhalation drug delivery, deliver complex cargos, and diversify the targets treated and prevented through pulmonary drug delivery. We aim to inform readers of the emerging efforts within the field and predict where future breakthroughs are expected to impact the treatment of respiratory diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ian R Woodward
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA;
| | - Catherine A Fromen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Jain N, Shashi Bhushan BL, Natarajan M, Mehta R, Saini DK, Chatterjee K. Advanced 3D In Vitro Lung Fibrosis Models: Contemporary Status, Clinical Uptake, and Prospective Outlooks. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024; 10:1235-1261. [PMID: 38335198 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c01499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Fibrosis has been characterized as a global health problem and ranks as one of the primary causes of organ dysfunction. Currently, there is no cure for pulmonary fibrosis, and limited therapeutic options are available due to an inadequate understanding of the disease pathogenesis. The absence of advanced in vitro models replicating dynamic temporal changes observed in the tissue with the progression of the disease is a significant impediment in the development of novel antifibrotic treatments, which has motivated research on tissue-mimetic three-dimensional (3D) models. In this review, we summarize emerging trends in preparing advanced lung models to recapitulate biochemical and biomechanical processes associated with lung fibrogenesis. We begin by describing the importance of in vivo studies and highlighting the often poor correlation between preclinical research and clinical outcomes and the limitations of conventional cell culture in accurately simulating the 3D tissue microenvironment. Rapid advancement in biomaterials, biofabrication, biomicrofluidics, and related bioengineering techniques are enabling the preparation of in vitro models to reproduce the epithelium structure and operate as reliable drug screening strategies for precise prediction. Improving and understanding these model systems is necessary to find the cross-talks between growing cells and the stage at which myofibroblasts differentiate. These advanced models allow us to utilize the knowledge and identify, characterize, and hand pick medicines beneficial to the human community. The challenges of the current approaches, along with the opportunities for further research with potential for translation in this field, are presented toward developing novel treatments for pulmonary fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nipun Jain
- Department of Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, C.V Raman Avenue, Bangalore 560012 India
| | - B L Shashi Bhushan
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Victoria Hospital, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bangalore 560002 India
| | - M Natarajan
- Department of Pathology, Victoria Hospital, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bangalore 560002 India
| | - Ravi Mehta
- Department of Pulmonology and Critical Care, Apollo Hospitals, Jayanagar, Bangalore 560011 India
| | - Deepak Kumar Saini
- Department of Developmental Biology and Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, C.V Raman Avenue, Bangalore 560012 India
| | - Kaushik Chatterjee
- Department of Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, C.V Raman Avenue, Bangalore 560012 India
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Motta G, Gualtieri M, Bengalli R, Saibene M, Belosi F, Nicosia A, Cabellos J, Mantecca P. An integrated new approach methodology for inhalation risk assessment of safe and sustainable by design nanomaterials. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 183:108420. [PMID: 38199131 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
The production and use of nanomaterials (NMs) has increased over the last decades posing relevant questions on their risk after release and exposure of the population or sub-populations. In this context, the safe and sustainable by design (SSbD) approach framework requires to assess the potential hazard connected with intrinsic properties of the material along the whole life cycle of the NM and/or of the nano enabled products. Moreover, in the last years, the use of new advanced methodologies (NAMs) has increasingly gained attention for the use of alternative methods in obtaining relevant information on NMs hazard and risk. Considering the SSbD and the NAMs frameworks, within the ASINA H2020 project, we developed new NAMs devoted at improving the hazard and risk definition of different Ag and TiO2 NPs. The NAMs are developed considering two air liquid interface exposure systems, the Vitrocell Cloud-α and the Cultex Compact module and the relevant steps to obtain reproducible exposures are described. The new NAMs build on the integration of environmental monitoring campaigns at nano-coating production sites, allowing the quantification by the multiple-path particle dosimetry (MPPD) model of the expected lung deposited dose in occupational settings. Starting from this information, laboratory exposures to the aerosolized NPs are performed by using air liquid interface exposure equipment and human alveolar cells (epithelial cells and macrophages), replicating the doses of exposure estimated in workers by MPPD. Preliminary results on cell viability and inflammatory responses are reported. The proposed NAMs may represent possible future reference procedures for assessing the NPs inhalation toxicology, supporting risk assessment at real exposure doses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Motta
- University of Milano Bicocca, Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy; Research Centre POLARIS, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy.
| | - Maurizio Gualtieri
- Research Centre POLARIS, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy.
| | - Rossella Bengalli
- Research Centre POLARIS, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Melissa Saibene
- Centre for Advanced Microscopy, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Franco Belosi
- CNR-ISAC, Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, National Research Council of Italy, Via Gobetti, 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessia Nicosia
- CNR-ISAC, Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, National Research Council of Italy, Via Gobetti, 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Joan Cabellos
- Leitat Technological Center, c/de la Innovació 2, Terrassa, 08225 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paride Mantecca
- Research Centre POLARIS, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Graf J, Trautmann-Rodriguez M, Sabnis S, Kloxin AM, Fromen CA. On the path to predicting immune responses in the lung: Modeling the pulmonary innate immune system at the air-liquid interface (ALI). Eur J Pharm Sci 2023; 191:106596. [PMID: 37770004 PMCID: PMC10658361 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2023.106596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Chronic respiratory diseases and infections are among the largest contributors to death globally, many of which still have no cure, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and respiratory syncytial virus among others. Pulmonary therapeutics afford untapped potential for treating lung infection and disease through direct delivery to the site of action. However, the ability to innovate new therapeutic paradigms for respiratory diseases will rely on modeling the human lung microenvironment and including key cellular interactions that drive disease. One key feature of the lung microenvironment is the air-liquid interface (ALI). ALI interface modeling techniques, using cell-culture inserts, organoids, microfluidics, and precision lung slices (PCLS), are rapidly developing; however, one major component of these models is lacking-innate immune cell populations. Macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells, among others, represent key lung cell populations, acting as the first responders during lung infection or injury. Innate immune cells respond to and modulate stromal cells and bridge the gap between the innate and adaptive immune system, controlling the bodies response to foreign pathogens and debris. In this article, we review the current state of ALI culture systems with a focus on innate immune cells and suggest ways to build on current models to add complexity and relevant immune cell populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jodi Graf
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | | | - Simone Sabnis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - April M Kloxin
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
| | - Catherine A Fromen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Sudduth ER, Trautmann-Rodriguez M, Gill N, Bomb K, Fromen CA. Aerosol pulmonary immune engineering. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 199:114831. [PMID: 37100206 PMCID: PMC10527166 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.114831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Aerosolization of immunotherapies poses incredible potential for manipulating the local mucosal-specific microenvironment, engaging specialized pulmonary cellular defenders, and accessing mucosal associated lymphoid tissue to redirect systemic adaptive and memory responses. In this review, we breakdown key inhalable immunoengineering strategies for chronic, genetic, and infection-based inflammatory pulmonary disorders, encompassing the historic use of immunomodulatory agents, the transition to biological inspired or derived treatments, and novel approaches of complexing these materials into drug delivery vehicles for enhanced release outcomes. Alongside a brief description of key immune targets, fundamentals of aerosol drug delivery, and preclinical pulmonary models for immune response, we survey recent advances of inhaled immunotherapy platforms, ranging from small molecules and biologics to particulates and cell therapies, as well as prophylactic vaccines. In each section, we address the formulation design constraints for aerosol delivery as well as advantages for each platform in driving desirable immune modifications. Finally, prospects of clinical translation and outlook for inhaled immune engineering are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma R Sudduth
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | | | - Nicole Gill
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Kartik Bomb
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Catherine A Fromen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Doryab A, Groll J. Biomimetic In Vitro Lung Models: Current Challenges and Future Perspective. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2210519. [PMID: 36750972 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202210519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
As post-COVID complications, chronic respiratory diseases are one of the foremost causes of mortality. The quest for a cure for this recent global challenge underlines that the lack of predictive in vitro lung models is one of the main bottlenecks in pulmonary preclinical drug development. Despite rigorous efforts to develop biomimetic in vitro lung models, the current cutting-edge models represent a compromise in numerous technological and biological aspects. Most advanced in vitro models are still in the "proof-of-concept" phase with a low clinical translation of the findings. On the other hand, advances in cellular and molecular studies are mainly based on relatively simple and unrealistic in vitro models. Herein, the current challenges and potential strategies toward not only bioinspired but truly biomimetic lung models are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ali Doryab
- Institute of Lung Health and Immunity (LHI) and Comprehensive Pneumology Center (CPC), Helmholtz Center Munich, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Neuherberg, 85764, Munich, Germany
| | - Jürgen Groll
- Department of Functional Materials in Medicine and Dentistry, Institute of Functional Materials and Biofabrication (IFB), and Bavarian Polymer Institute (BPI), University of Würzburg, 97070, Würzburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|