Abstract
Respiratory diseases are top-ranked causes of deaths and disabilities around the world, making new approaches to the treatment necessary. In recent years, lung-on-a-chip platforms have emerged as a potential candidate to replace animal experiments because they can successfully simulate human physiology. In this review, we discuss the main respiratory diseases and their pathophysiology, how to model a lung microenvironment, and how to translate it to clinical applications. Furthermore, we propose a novel alveolus lung-on-a-chip platform, based on all currently available methodologies. This review provides solutions and new ideas to improve the alveolar lung-on-a-chip platform. Finally, we provided evidence that approaches such as 3D printing, organ-a-chip devices and organoids can be used in combination, and some challenges could be overcome.
Highlights
To understand the clinical applications of the lung-on-a-chip platform, we will briefly overview the main respiratory diseases and their pathophysiology, the available approaches to lung cell culture, modelling of the lung microenvironment and microfluidic systems.Respiratory diseases are top-ranked causes of deaths and disabilities, with a high burden on health service costs across the globe
The most aggressive ones are pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections, presenting a high incidence of episodes and mortality in children of low- and middle-income countries
Infections are threatening because they can potentially lead to chronic respiratory diseases such as bronchiectasis and asthma, both characterized by airway mucus hypersecretion and difficult management with regular antibiotics [7]
Summary
To understand the clinical applications of the lung-on-a-chip platform, we will briefly overview the main respiratory diseases and their pathophysiology, the available approaches to lung cell culture, modelling of the lung microenvironment and microfluidic systems. Respiratory diseases are top-ranked causes of deaths and disabilities, with a high burden on health service costs across the globe. In the European Union, the total cost of respiratory disease accounts to more than €380 billion annually, including the costs of primary health care, hospitalizations, and lost production due to disability [1]. Forum of International Respiratory Societies identified the most common global causes of severe illness and death, the Big Five: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, acute lower respiratory tract infections, tuberculosis and lung cancer [2]. COPD is typically caused by prolonged exposure to tobacco smoke, air pollution, chemicals, and dust. These factors produce an inflammatory pattern that progressively damages the peripheral lung tissues and causes obstruction of the small airways.
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