Murine lung organoids
Scope of the method
- Human health
- Basic Research
- In vitro - Ex vivo
- Animal derived cells / tissues / organs
Description
- lung epithelial cells
- lung disease
- Allergic disease
- lung injury
Primary epithelial stem/progenitor cell populations are isolated from the murine lung using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) or magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS). Purified epithelial stem/progenitor cells are grown together with mesenchymal cells in Matrigel, a material enriched for extracellular matrix proteins to support organoid growth and differentiation, in transwell plates.
- Biosaftey cabinet,
- Flow cytometer,
- Incubator,
- Microscope.
- Still in development
- Published in peer reviewed journal
Pros, cons & Future potential
Over the past decade lung organoids have become an indispensable tool for basic and translational research. These organoids can recapitulate lung structure and function ex vivo while being amenable to experimental manipulation and are hence a new and exciting model system to investigate lung biology.
Lung organoids do not yet recapitulate all of the complex structures and cellular interactions of the different regions of the lung, especially the highly vascularized and delicate alveolar region.
Lung organoids as in vivo replacement alternatives have not only the potential to address important questions in lung biology but also reduce the number of animals used. They can also contribute to the design of any subsequent animal procedures still considered necessary, so that any pain and suffering they may cause can be minimized.
References, associated documents and other information
Lung Organoids—The Ultimate Tool to Dissect Pulmonary Diseases? https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2022.899368
Contact person
Smole UrsulaOrganisations
VIB - UGentIRC
Belgium