Description
In vitro models of the airway epithelium are essential for studying respiratory physiology yet commonly used systems rely on static culture conditions that lack mechanical stimulation at the tissue surface. In particular, conventional air–liquid interface (ALI) Transwell models maintain epithelial tissues without fluid flow on either the apical or basal side, leading to limited control over shear stress and a progressive loss of coordinated ciliary alignment.
To overcome these limitations, we developed two low-cost, microfluidics-compatible platforms; TransChips and an affordable lung-on-chip system; that introduce controlled fluid flow while remaining simple to fabricate and operate. The TransChip platform enables defined shear flow over the apical surface of differentiated, ciliated airway epithelial tissues. Using this system, we demonstrate that externally imposed flow strongly influences ciliary orientation, promoting robust and directional alignment.
In parallel, we present a cost-effective lung-on-chip device that independently supplies continuous basal perfusion for nutrient delivery while applying apical shear stress. This platform supports stable long-term culture and provides a practical, accessible alternative for incorporating physiologically relevant flow into airway epithelial models.