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Generation of 3D Whole Lung Organoids from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for Modeling Lung Developmental Biology and Disease
Published on: April 12, 2021
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Development and Functional Characterization of Fetal Lung Organoids
Mandy Laube1, Soeren Pietsch1, Thomas Pannicke1
1Division of Neonatology, Department of Paediatrics, Center for Paediatric Research Leipzig, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
Frontiers in Medicine
|September 23, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed fetal lung organoids (LOs) to model preterm infant lung immaturity. These organoids mimic key lung functions, offering a new tool for studying lung development and diseases.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Developmental Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Preterm infants face significant lung complications due to physiological and structural immaturity.
- Novel in vitro models are crucial for understanding late lung maturation and developing therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To generate fetal lung organoids (LOs) from rat lung tissue.
- To functionally characterize these LOs as an in vitro model for lung maturation.
Main Methods:
- Fetal rat lung cells were cultured using Matrigel gradients and air-liquid interface conditions.
- Immunocytochemistry, gene expression analysis, and patch-clamp electrophysiology were employed.
- Responsiveness to glucocorticoids and mesenchymal stem cell-induced maturation were assessed.
Main Results:
- Generated LOs exhibited polarized epithelial cells and expressed alveolar type 2 and Club cell markers.
- Detected expression of Na+ transporter and surfactant protein mRNA.
- Electrophysiological properties in LOs mimicked vital lung slices, and responsiveness to glucocorticoids was confirmed.
Conclusions:
- Fetal lung organoids replicate key biological functions essential for lung maturation.
- LOs serve as a suitable in vitro model for studying lung development and related diseases.
- This model facilitates testing novel therapeutic strategies for lung immaturity.
