A new range of lung-on-chip technologies represents critical features of lung compression

According to the National Institutes of Health, respiratory viruses are the most common cause of disease and death in humans, a fact revealed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the potential causes of severe disease, more than 70% of viral infections remain asymptomatic.

Animal models have been widely used to understand how these viruses affect the host and how the host responds to prevent infection and the onset of disease. However, data based on animal models do not always relate well to humans, given the differences in species and genetics.

In Biomicrofluidics, with AIP Publishing, researchers from the University of Ege and the University of Nottingham study a range of lung-on-chip technologies that represent the critical and repetitive properties of lung tension. on the underlying sides of various pathologies.

“Lung-capable platforms have reconstructed the multicellular architecture, the physicochemical microenvironment, and the in vitro human lung compression interface,” said author Ozlem Yesil-Celiktas .

The researchers reviewed several modern lung-on-chips and their applications in the study, detection and treatment of human viruses, including the infecting coronavirus. cause COVID-19. Different platforms focus on different parts of lung function, such as small airway slots and lung alveolus chips.

The knowledge and experience gathered through the development of physically relevant lung-on-chip models will solve the method of using these models to study the interactions of several human respiratory viruses with the airway epithelium and alveolus in an organ-related position.

The prevalent pandemic, which has spread to almost every continent in just a few months, leads us to realize just how much we need a practical, human platform to test to accelerate antiviral drugs and vaccines. “

Ozlem Yesil-Celiktas, Study Author, American Institute of Physics

Considering new research showing one of the side effects of COVID-19-related seizures is lung fibrosis, the lung-on-chip systems, which target lung fibrosis, are ‘enabling a deeper understanding of disease mechanisms and associated immune and technological responses.

Despite the advantages, lack of mobility and integration with external protective cells means that these organ-chip platforms require these components to be integrated into the microchips, not. not only for viral infections but also for other pathologies.

Going forward, the researchers integrate modular sensing equipment to provide online study opportunities along with diagnostic results. Such biomimetic systems also enable high-resolution and real-time imaging, as well as in-vitro toxic analysis or measurement of the metabolic activity of living cells.