Next-Generation Respiratory Models: Bridging the Gap Between Biology and Bioengineering

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• In vitro respiratory models are crucial for understanding lung physiology and disease.
• Existing models often fail to fully replicate the complex in vivo microenvironment.
• There is a growing need for advanced, physiologically relevant respiratory models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in in vitro respiratory model systems.
• To highlight models that recapitulate human respiratory anatomy and function for disease modeling.
• To discuss the potential of these models in translational research.

Main Methods:

• Focus on 2.5D on-chip systems, 3D biological models, and bioprinting techniques.
• Outline engineering principles behind these advanced modeling approaches.
• Evaluate the models' ability to mimic respiratory structure and function.

Main Results:

• These advanced models provide multi-dimensional platforms replicating in vivo-like microenvironments.
• 2.5D, 3D, and bioprinted models offer distinct advantages for creating relevant respiratory models.
• The reviewed techniques demonstrate potential in mimicking key respiratory features.

Conclusions:

• Advanced in vitro respiratory models significantly improve physiological understanding and disease modeling.
• These systems bridge the gap between conventional models and human biology.
• Future directions point towards accelerating translational research and therapeutic development.