Modeling functional responses to pollutant exposure using modular hydrogel supported vascularized alveolosphere-on-a-chip.

ABSTRACT: Alveolar type 2 (AT2) cells play a pivotal role in maintaining lung homeostasis, and the generation of three-dimensional cultures, such as alveolospheres, provides a valuable model for studying lung development, pathologies, and drug responses. Here, we investigate the critical extracellular matrix (ECM) characteristics that influence AT2 alveolosphere formation and growth. By encapsulating AT2 cells in different extracellular matrix-based hydrogels, we identified laminin as a key ECM protein supporting robust alveolosphere formation akin to Matrigel. Our results show that laminin-rich hydrogels support alveolosphere formation across murine and human primary AT2 cells as well as induced human pluripotent stem cell derived AT2 cells (iAT2 cells). Notably, matrix stiffness strongly influence

SUBMITTER: Madhurakkat Perikamana SK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12442856 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature