内置免疫系统的微型“肺芯片”问世

Core Insights - The collaboration between Georgia Institute of Technology and Vanderbilt University has led to the development of the world's first micro "lung chip" with an integrated immune system, which can actively defend against pathogens, potentially revolutionizing disease research and providing a platform for new therapies [1][2]. Group 1: Technological Breakthrough - The new lung chip incorporates a functional immune system, allowing it to realistically simulate the lung's response to infections, inflammation, and self-repair processes [1]. - Previous attempts to integrate an immune system into organ chips faced technical challenges, such as the short lifespan of immune cells and difficulties in mimicking their circulation and tissue interaction in the human body [1]. Group 2: Research Applications - This innovative lung chip opens new avenues for preclinical research, aiding in the detailed analysis of immune responses and interactions with viral infections, as well as evaluating the efficacy of antiviral drugs [2]. - The chip can be utilized to study diseases such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, and tuberculosis, and there are plans to integrate immune organs to simulate the interaction between the lungs and the systemic immune system [2]. Group 3: Future Goals - The long-term objective is to achieve personalized medicine by constructing chips using patients' own cells to predict the best treatment options [2].