Engineered Lungs with Preserved Blood Vessels Edge Closer Towards Practicality
Columbia University Pioneers Innovative Lung Bioengineering Approach
Researchers at Columbia University have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of lung bioengineering. They have developed a selective regeneration approach that preserves the lung's delicate vascular architecture, a critical component for proper lung function and gas exchange.
This innovative method could revolutionize the treatment of chronic lung diseases such as COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and cystic fibrosis, where current regenerative options are limited. By maintaining the lung's vascular structure, this approach increases the chances of successfully engineering transplantable lungs that can support oxygen exchange and reduce immune rejection risks.
The team's approach involved connecting rodent lungs to an ex vivo perfusion system, administering a mild detergent solution to remove epithelial cells, and circulating a specialized perfusate to protect the vascular network. The blood vessel network remained intact and functional in the engineered lung, a significant achievement in organ bioengineering.
The selective process gently removes cells while leaving behind the extracellular matrix and vascular network. This preserved scaffold can then be repopulated with the patient’s own cells—potentially stem cells or lung progenitor cells—to regenerate functional lung tissue that integrates with the body’s circulation.
However, important challenges remain before this technology reaches clinical application. These include scaling to human-sized organs, demonstrating long-term functionality, ensuring integration with host systems, and obtaining regulatory approval.
Dr. N. Valerio Dorrello, assistant professor of pediatrics at Columbia University Medical Center, sees daily the limitations of current treatments for severe lung disease. He believes that the Columbia team's approach could potentially be scaled to human organs, offering a promising future for patients suffering from end-stage lung disease.
Dr. Matthew Bacchetta, an associate professor of surgery at Columbia, emphasizes the potential of the technique for increasing the number of transplantable lungs. He notes that only 20% of donor lungs are suitable for transplantation, leading to thousands of patients dying while waiting for lungs that never arrive.
The timing of this breakthrough is critical due to the growing burden of lung disease with an aging global population and increasing environmental pollutants. The approach could transform our approach to lung disease by offering pathways to repair instead of exclusive focus on replacement.
Lung diseases collectively represent the third leading cause of death worldwide. End-stage lung disease often requires transplantation, a procedure hampered by severe organ shortages, complex matching requirements, and lifelong immunosuppression for recipients. This innovative approach could potentially address these challenges, offering hope for a future where more lives can be saved.
This groundbreaking lung bioengineering approach developed by researchers at Columbia University could also potentially be applied to the treatment of chronic kidney disease, a type of chronic disease. The technology's ability to maintain the organ's vascular structure could pave the way for engineering transplantable kidneys, thus reducing the risks associated with kidney transplants.
The potential of this technology extends beyond lung and kidney diseases. With further research and development, this approach could be leveraged to create functional tissues for various medical conditions, contributing significantly to the field of health and wellness.
The emergence of CBD (cannabidiol) in the health and wellness sector offers a possible complementary therapy for managing symptoms related to chronic diseases, including chronic kidney disease. As the field of medical-science advances, potential synergies between technologies like this lung bioengineering approach and alternative treatments, such as CBD, may be explored for enhanced outcomes.
