Development of an aspiration-based open microfluidic platform using micropillars to recreate the lung cellular microenvironment

Abstract

Engineering a thin air-liquid interface membrane is important to model in vitro the complex lung alveoli structure. To date, only few in vitro microfluidic platforms have been able to reproduce the in vivo size of alveoli while making it fast, easy to pattern and with a high yield. Moreover, no current platforms are including lung fibroblasts in the model. Here, we introduce a 3D printed open microfluidic and technique to create a thin hydrogel membrane close to the alveoli dimensions around a 100µm and usable for cell culture. 3D printed organ-on-chips allow the same biological performance and biodegradability in comparison to the usual PDMS chips while providing a high-throughput and no small molecule absorption. Utilizing the strong surface tension between hydrogel and closely spaced micropillars, after the suction of the liquid, provides a solution to pattern the desired thin hydrogel membrane. These platforms using specific patterning techniques can be used for a wide range of applications as an air-liquid interface model for powder inhalation tests or pharmaceutical drugs screening for instance.