Avian lungs: A novel scaffold for lung bioengineering

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Biomaterials Science
• Pulmonary Therapeutics

Background:

• Allogeneic lung transplantation faces limitations due to donor lung scarcity and inadequate artificial lung assist devices.
• Avian lungs possess unique structural and mechanical properties conducive to highly efficient gas exchange compared to mammalian lungs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of using decellularized avian lungs as a scaffold for recellularization with human cells for potential pulmonary therapeutic applications.
• To assess the structural integrity and biocompatibility of decellularized chicken and emu lungs for tissue engineering.

Main Methods:

• Detergent-based decellularization protocols were adapted for chicken and emu lungs.
• Structural analysis included light and electron microscopy, assessment of vascular and airway resistance, DNA quantification, and ECM protein analysis via immunohistochemistry and mass spectrometry.
• Decellularized scaffolds were seeded with various human lung cell types (epithelial, endothelial, stromal, fibroblasts) to evaluate cell attachment and growth.

Main Results:

• Decellularization successfully maintained the structural architecture of avian lungs.
• Scaffolds exhibited minimal residual DNA and retained key extracellular matrix proteins.
• Human lung cells demonstrated initial attachment and growth on the decellularized avian lung scaffolds over a 7-day period.

Conclusions:

• Decellularized avian lungs represent a viable biomaterial scaffold for generating functional lung tissue.
• This approach holds potential for developing novel lung tissue engineering strategies to overcome limitations in lung transplantation and treat pulmonary diseases.