Bioengineered Lungs: A Challenge and An Opportunity.

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Tissue Engineering
• Organ Biofabrication

Background:

• Lung transplantation faces donor organ shortages.
• Tissue engineering offers a potential solution for creating functional lungs.
• Biofabrication aims to develop transplantable organs from cellular components.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current state and future prospects of lung biofabrication.
• To highlight the methods and challenges in creating bioengineered lungs.
• To assess the potential of lung bioengineering for clinical lung transplantation.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing decellularized donor lung scaffolds.
• Seeding scaffolds with autologous stem cells (mesenchymal, progenitor, or induced pluripotent).
• Culturing cells in specialized bioreactors with physiological perfusion and ventilation.

Main Results:

• Proof of concept established in rodent models since 2010.
• Successful biofabrication of ex vivo human lungs demonstrated.
• Animal and ex vivo studies indicate progress towards clinical viability.

Conclusions:

• Lung bioengineering is a rapidly advancing field with significant potential.
• Clinical application of bioengineered lungs is anticipated in the future.
• This technology presents both scientific challenges and opportunities for lung transplantation.