Airway-on-a-Chip: Development and in Vitro Validation of a Microfluidic Cell Culture Model for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

We report a microfluidic cell culture model that incorporates a novel 3-dimensional extracellular matrix composed of a biodegradable membrane and lumen-patterned, cell-embedded hydrogel. Additionally, we developed a novel approach to produce a hydrogel mixture containing gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) and ultrasonicated Matrigel microparticles. The novel fabrication approach creates a hybrid hydrogel where the Matrigel is well distributed within the GelMA, it promotes fibroblast cell elongation, and it does not affect the photopolymerization of GelMA.