Lung diseases such as tuberculosis and cystic fibrosis remain difficult to treat worldwide. A major cause of this is the lack of realistic models for studying these conditions: two-dimensional cell models do not do justice to the complex structure of human lungs, while animal models are insufficiently predictive of the human response to pathogens.
Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan (USask), affiliated with the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) and the College of Engineering, are therefore working on an innovative solution: a 3D-printed lung tissue model that accurately mimics the human lung. ‘We lack a realistic model for lung diseases, and that hinders the development of effective treatments. With a three-dimensional lung model, we can much better investigate how drugs and pathogens behave in the lungs,’ says Dr Nuraina Dahlan of VIDO.
Biotechnology and 3D printing technology
The research team, led by Neeraj Dhar, Arinjay Banerjee (VIDO) and Daniel Chen (College of Engineering), combines biotechnology and 3D printing technology. The researchers use special “bio-inks” containing living cells to print realistic lung tissue. With the help of the Canadian Light Source, they were able to analyse the internal structure and function of the tissue without damaging the samples.
The initial results are promising: human lung cells survive and function in the printed environment, indicating that the model is suitable for cell growth and further disease research. In the next phase, the team will expose new 3D-printed lungs to infections to study their responses. The research was recently published in Biomaterials Advances.
Exact model of human lung
According to Dahlan, a model that fully mimics the human lung would be a game changer for research and treatment. ‘With such a model, we can better understand diseases, develop patient-specific therapies and ultimately even grow complete lungs in the laboratory,’ says Dahlan.
The ultimate goal of this so-called lung tissue engineering is ambitious but clear: laboratory-grown lungs that are not only used for research, but also as an alternative to transplantation. This opens the door to personalised treatment strategies, in which medicines can be tested in advance for their suitability for a specific patient. ‘An accurate lung model offers new possibilities for both the prevention and treatment of lung diseases,’ concludes Dahlan.
3D technology and lung research
Earlier this year, researchers at the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) developed a realistic 3D-printed lung model that represents an important step towards personalised lung care. Using a specially designed bio-ink, Dr. Emmanuel Osei's team was able to print a hydrogel in which different cell types and channel structures mimic the blood vessels and airways of the lung. Thanks to the addition of vascular components, the model can also simulate blood flow, which is crucial for research into inflammation, cancer and fibrosis.
The model makes it possible to use patients' lung cells to develop personalised test models, making research into medicines and therapies more efficient and patient-centred. Its clinical applicability was confirmed when exposure to cigarette smoke led to a recognisable inflammatory response. According to Osei, this technology can accelerate the drug development process and provides a solid basis for customised treatments for complex lung diseases such as asthma, COPD and lung cancer.
