US Scientists Develop First 3D Mini Lungs from Human Stem Cells

Scientists at the University of Michigan have, for the first time, succeeded in growing 3D mini lungs from human stem cells, and the resulting structures resemble both the large proximal airways and the small distal airways. The advantage of growing 3D structures is that their organization bears greater similarity to the human lung.

First 3D Mini Lungs

The ingredients included in the process were embryonic stem cells, proteins involved in lung development, growth factors, inhibitors of intestine development, growing media, petri dish, protein mixture, and method for 'morphogenesis in a dish.' Researchers first, added the protein ActivinA to stem cells and left them for four days. Then they added Noggin, another protein, and a transforming growth factor, and left it for another four days. Researchers found the endoderm is induced to form 3D spherical structures called the foregut spheroids. These spheroids were then transferred to protein mixture and incubated at room temperature for 10 minutes until the mixture solidifies. They were treated with additional proteins every four days and transferred into a new protein mixture every 10-15 days. 

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The resulting lung organoids were able to survive in culture for over 100 days and develop into well-organized structures containing cell types found in the lung. The lung organoids are self-organizing, and do not require further manipulation to generate 3-dimensional tissues. Since these structures were developed in a petri dish, they lack several components of the native lung, including blood vessels, which are a critical component of gas exchange. 

The study appears in eLife.

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