Chapter 10 - Microfluidic Approaches Toward Pulmonary Tissue Constructs

Abstract

Pulmonary systems pose unique challenges in understanding the relationships between cell and tissue function in healthy and diseased conditions. Standard in vitro models cannot capture the physiological complexity inherent in the dynamic structures of the lung, and interpreting in vivo models is challenging because of the widespread effects of typical interventions in the codependent pulmonary, cardiovascular and immune systems. Microfluidic analogs for pulmonary systems may provide the requisite complexity and specificity in designing artificial microenvironmental niches, in which to study the cellular basis for various pathophysiological conditions. In this chapter, we aim to provide an overview of the critical parameters of the pulmonary system useful in designing, defining, and characterizing microfluidic culture environments, in healthy and diseased conditions. We then review current progress in engineering pulmonary microfluidic constructs, in both the small airways and the alveolar regions of the lung.