首个基因一致的人源“肺芯片”问世

Core Insights - The development of a gene-consistent human "lung chip" model by the Francis Crick Institute and AlveoliX represents a significant advancement in personalized treatment for respiratory diseases like tuberculosis [1][2][3] Group 1: Technology and Innovation - The lung chip utilizes induced pluripotent stem cells from a single donor to simulate individual alveolar breathing actions and infection responses, providing a new tool for personalized therapy [1] - The chip's design includes a specialized device that applies rhythmic three-dimensional stretching forces to mimic breathing, promoting the formation of microvilli on alveolar epithelial cells [1] Group 2: Disease Simulation and Research Implications - The team successfully simulated the early stages of tuberculosis infection by introducing macrophages derived from the same donor's stem cells and exposing the chip to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, resulting in observable pathological features [2] - The lung chip effectively replicates the early pulmonary responses to infection, offering a comprehensive view of disease progression that is typically difficult to observe in early stages [2] Group 3: Future Applications and Impact - This highly personalized microphysiological model could revolutionize drug development by allowing direct testing of drug efficacy and toxicity on the chip, reducing reliance on animal models and potentially accelerating candidate drug screening [3]