Researchers have developed a mucus-based bioink for 3D printing lung tissue, which could revolutionize the study and treatment of chronic lung conditions that kill millions of people worldwide each year. With limited treatment options and a shortage of donor organs for transplants, medications and other therapies are often used to manage symptoms, but no cure currently exists for diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis. Animal models used to test new medications often fall short in capturing the complexities of pulmonary diseases in humans, leading researchers to explore new ways of creating lung tissue in the lab.
Bioengineers have been investigating the production of lung tissue through 3D printing, but finding a suitable bioink to support cell growth has been a challenge. Building on this research, Ashok Raichur and colleagues developed a bioink using mucin, a component of mucus that had not been widely explored for bioprinting. By reacting mucin with methacrylic anhydride to form methacrylated mucin (MuMA) and mixing it with lung cells and hyaluronic acid, the team created a bioink that supported cell growth and adhesion to MuMA. When exposed to blue light, the bioink crosslinked to form a porous gel structure that absorbed water and promoted cell survival.
The porous gel structure with interconnected pores allowed for the diffusion of nutrients and oxygen, encouraging cell growth and the formation of lung tissue. The printed structures were found to be nontoxic and biodegradable under physiological conditions, making them potentially suitable for use as implants where the scaffold would gradually be replaced by newly grown lung tissue. Additionally, the bioink could be used to create 3D models of lungs for studying disease processes and evaluating potential treatments, providing a more accurate model than current animal models.
The success of this bioink development represents a significant advancement in the field of bioengineering for lung tissue regeneration and disease research. By utilizing mucin and hyaluronic acid to create a bioink that supports cell growth and adhesion, researchers have opened up new possibilities for studying and treating chronic lung conditions. The findings could ultimately lead to more effective treatments for diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis, which currently have limited treatment options.
This research was funded by the Government of India’s Department of Science and Technology, highlighting the importance of government support for scientific advancements that have the potential to impact global health. With further research and development, the bioink developed by Raichur and colleagues could have far-reaching implications for the treatment of lung diseases and the regeneration of lung tissue, offering hope for millions of people suffering from chronic respiratory conditions. By combining advanced bioengineering techniques with innovative approaches to tissue regeneration, researchers are paving the way for a new era of personalized medicine and improved outcomes for patients with lung diseases.
