Conclusions
We have successfully developed biomimetic microfluidic devices that specifically allow stable alveolar cell growth at the air-liquid interface. This work serves prerequisite towards an implantable artificial alveolar membrane.
Material and methods
Microdevices were fabricated using soft lithography in a biocompatible transparent polymeric material, polydimethyl siloxane, sealed covalently to glass. The multistage microdevice also integrated a suspended polyethylene terephthalate membrane connected via microfluidic channels to constant media and air access. Pulmonary endothelial (HMEC-1) and alveolar epithelial (A549) cell lines, along with fetal pulmonary cells (FPC) harvested from Swiss Webster mice at day 18 gestational age, were studied under multiple hydrodynamic shear conditions and liquid-to-cell ratio regimes. Cultures were examined for cell viability, function and proliferation to confluent monolayers. A549 cells cultured at an air-interface in a microdevice was also tested for their ability to maintain cell phenotype and function.
Methods
Microdevices were fabricated using soft lithography in a biocompatible transparent polymeric material, polydimethyl siloxane, sealed covalently to glass. The multistage microdevice also integrated a suspended polyethylene terephthalate membrane connected via microfluidic channels to constant media and air access. Pulmonary endothelial (HMEC-1) and alveolar epithelial (A549) cell lines, along with fetal pulmonary cells (FPC) harvested from Swiss Webster mice at day 18 gestational age, were studied under multiple hydrodynamic shear conditions and liquid-to-cell ratio regimes. Cultures were examined for cell viability, function and proliferation to confluent monolayers. A549 cells cultured at an air-interface in a microdevice was also tested for their ability to maintain cell phenotype and function.
Results
The single-layer differential flow microdevice allowed for a systematic determination of the optimal growth conditions of various lung-specific cell types in a microfluidic environment. Our device showed a greater surfactant based decrease in surface tension of the alveolar hypophase in A549 cultures exposed to air as compared to submerged cultures. Conclusions: We have successfully developed biomimetic microfluidic devices that specifically allow stable alveolar cell growth at the air-liquid interface. This work serves prerequisite towards an implantable artificial alveolar membrane.