Researchers from University of Alabama, Birmingham report on the use of the SynVivo platform for the development of a
human airway-on-a chip model
which combined with novel micro-optical coherence tomography (µOCT) enables non-invasive quantitative imaging of ciliary movement, including beat frequency and mucociliary transport.
"The advantage of this microfluidics device lies in the formation of a complete lumen for both the airway epithelium and the adjacent endothelium. It is a step forward in the development of a model that recapitulates both the cellular differentiation and organization into tubular structures, similar to the small airways and microvasculature"
, said Dr. Jennifer Guimbellot, pediatric pulmonologist and assistant professor, UAB School of medicine.
The airway model was developed with co-culture of primary epithelial cells and endothelial cells across an Air Liquid Interface (ALI) using a customized SynVivo microfluidic chip enabling real-time quantitative imaging. The functionality of the developed airway-on-a-chip model was demonstrated by monitoring of active cilia, mucus-producing cells and biomarkers of cellular function under physiological conditions.
According to Dr. Steven Rowe, Professor of Medicine and Director of the Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Research Center:
"Developing new tools that appropriately model the intact mucociliary transport apparatus of humans is a major priority, and has implications for biological research of airway diseases including cystic fibrosis"
. The developed airway model represents a new approach to personalized medicine and as a predictive tool for pharmaceutical development.
