Development of a monitoring bioreactor for online assessment of lung tissue growth

IntroductionAn essential step toward a functional regenerated lung is to maintain cell viability within scaffolds. Therefore, assessment of cell viability within recellularized lungs is crucial to control and optimize lung regeneration. Being online and noninvasive are two important features of a monitoring system to provide accurate insight into the cells status without causing any disruption to the culture process.ObjectivesThis study aimed to develop a bioreactor equipped with an online noninvasive monitoring system providing both necessary culture conditions and online cell viability assessment.MethodsIn this research, a custom-designed bioreactor system was developed and modified to be equipped with a respiration activity monitoring system. Human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were seeded into rat acellular lung scaffolds, and then, cell viability was monitored during a week.ResultsThe monitoring bioreactor provided a cell growth profile representing invaluable information on cell viability and proliferative states during the culture period. The cell growth profile obtained by the monitoring bioreactor was consistent with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide analysis and glucose consumption measurement.ConclusionThis bioreactor provided a means for online noninvasive investigation of cell viability. Using information obtained by this monitoring bioreactor helps optimizeation of the lung regeneration process and eventually produces a functional implantable organ.

کلیدواژه ها:

Bioreactor ، Acellular lungs ، Monitoring system ، Tissue engineering ، Regenerative medicine