"Lung-on-a-Chip" Shows Promise in Simulating Respiratory Virus Infection Processes​

Source

Nature Biomedical Engineering (Latest issue)

Reported by Zhang Jiaxin, Science and Technology Daily

Abstract

According to a report in the latest issue of Nature Biomedical Engineering, a research team from Kyoto University in Japan has developed a new "lung-on-a-chip" system capable of simultaneously simulating the proximal airways and distal alveoli of the lungs. This system is expected to enable more accurate studies on the infection mechanisms of respiratory viruses. By combining induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology, organoid engineering, and microfluidic platforms, the chip reconstructs the 3D structure and microenvironment of human lung airways and alveoli, reducing interference from individual differences and providing a precise platform for researching virus-specific disease mechanisms and evaluating new drugs.

Content

A research team from Kyoto University in Japan has developed a novel "lung-on-a-chip" system that can simultaneously simulate the proximal airways and distal alveoli of the lungs, holding promise for more accurate studies on the infection mechanisms of respiratory viruses, as reported in the latest issue of Nature Biomedical Engineering.

Schematic diagram of iPSC-derived lung-on-a-chip. Credit: Kyoto University, Japan

Respiratory virus infections have repeatedly caused global pandemics, placing a heavy burden on healthcare systems. Such viruses can cause severe damage to the lungs, particularly the proximal (airways) and distal (alveoli) regions. Due to the differences in responses to infection and the complexity of mechanisms across different lung regions, traditional animal models or simple in vitro systems have struggled to accurately replicate this process.

To address this issue, the Japanese research team developed a microphysiological system. They used induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology to differentiate functional lung epithelial cells, and then combined organoid engineering with a microfluidic platform to reconstruct the three-dimensional structure and microenvironment of human lung airways and alveoli.

The "lung-on-a-chip" constructed by the research team using iPSCs can simulate the different responses of airways and alveoli during viral infection. Moreover, the consistent cell source effectively reduces interference from individual differences. This achievement provides a more precise platform for studying tissue- and virus-specific disease mechanisms, as well as facilitating the evaluation and screening of new drugs.

This research outcome is not only applicable to lung models but also offers important references for the construction of other human organs and multi-organ systems, helping to reveal the interaction mechanisms between organs. The combination of microphysiological systems and iPSC technology will bring new ideas to the development of complex disease models.