title: An open-access microfluidic model for lung-specific functional studies at an air-liquid interface.
abstract: In an effort to improve the physiologic relevance of existing in vitro models for alveolar cells, we present a microfluidic platform which provides an air-interface in a dynamic system combining microfluidic and suspended membrane culture systems. Such a system provides the ability to manipulate multiple parameters on a single platform along with ease in cell seeding and manipulation. The current study presents a comparison of the efficacy of the hybrid system with conventional platforms using assays analyzing the maintenance of function and integrity of A549 alveolar epithelial cell monolayer cultures. The hybrid system incorporates bio-mimetic nourishment on the basal side of the epithelial cells along with an open system on the apical side of the cells exposed to air allowing for easy access for assays.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 600 North Wolfe Street, Harvey 319, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
authors.forename: Divya D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Nalayanda
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Puleo
authors.forename: William B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Fulton
authors.forename: Leilani M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Sharpe
authors.forename: Tza-Huei
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Fizan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Abdullah
mesh_terms: D000388:Air; D032701:Biomimetics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002460:Cell Line; D004560:Electricity; D006801:Humans; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010539:Permeability; D010641:Phenotype; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial