Developing human upper, lower, and deep lung airway models: Combining different scaffolds and developing complex co-cultures.

ABSTRACT: Advanced in vitro models are crucial for studying human airway biology. Our objective was the development and optimization of 3D in vitro models representing diverse airway regions, including deep lung alveolar region. This initiative was aimed at assessing the influence of selective scaffold materials on distinct airway co-culture models. While PET membranes (30 µm thickness) were unsuitable for alveolar models due to their stiffness and relatively high Young's modulus, a combination of collagenous scaffolds seeded with Calu-3 cells and fibroblasts, showed increased mucus production going from week 1 to week 4 of air lift culture. Meanwhile standard electrospun polymer membrane (50-60 µm thick), which possesses a considerably low modulus of elasticity, offered higher flexibility and suppo

SUBMITTER: Murkar RS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11780661 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature