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Generation of Human Nasal Epithelial Cell Spheroids for Individualized Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Study
Published on: April 11, 2018
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Modeling Cystic Fibrosis Chronic Infection Using Engineered Mucus-like Hydrogels
Courtney L O'Brien1, Sarah Spencer1, Naeimeh Jafari2
1School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculties of Medicine and Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada.
ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering
|September 19, 2024
Summary
Researchers developed mucus-like hydrogels to model cystic fibrosis (CF) airway infections. These models revealed that antibiotic resistance in CF airways depends on mucus properties, microbial interactions, and host cells.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Microbiology
- Pulmonary Medicine
Background:
- Cystic fibrosis (CF) airway mucus has altered properties, promoting difficult-to-treat chronic infections.
- Modeling complex polymicrobial infections and host-microbe interactions in vitro is challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop mucus-like hydrogels that mimic healthy and CF airway environments.
- To investigate factors influencing pathogen antibiotic resistance in these models.
Main Methods:
- Created mucus-like hydrogels with varying compositions and viscoelastic properties.
- Incorporated hydrogels with pathogens, human bronchial epithelial cells, and antibiotics.
- Assessed pathogen antibiotic resistance under different culture conditions.
Main Results:
- Hydrogel properties influenced, but did not solely determine, antibiotic resistance.
- Culture conditions (microbe species, polymicrobial vs. monomicrobial, presence of epithelial cells) significantly impacted resistance.
- The CF airway model replicated sustained polymicrobial growth and increased antibiotic tolerance.
Conclusions:
- Developed a novel in vitro model for studying CF airway infections.
- Demonstrated that antibiotic resistance is multifactorial, involving mucus properties, microbial dynamics, and host cell interactions.
- The model provides insights into the challenges of treating chronic CF lung infections.
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