Integration of engineering aspects and biological parameters using bioreactors: A promising approach to tackle challenges of lung tissue engineering commercialization

IntroductionLung tissue engineering is a promising field with the goal of providing benefits to end-stage patients. Despite the advances made so far, there are numerous obstacles to translate the findings into commercialized products. Maintaining sterility, inconsistency of engineered tissues, the need for frequent invasive testing and labor intensity are just some of these challenges.ObjectivesThis study aims to demonstrate that bioreactors are practical tools to solve mentioned challenges regarding commercializing process by integrating biological parameters and engineering aspects.MethodsThree approaches were used for engineering rat lung tissues, and the results were compared: i) engineering tissues manually, ii) engineering tissues using a simple bioreactor and iii) engineering tissues using an equipped bioreactor capable of monitoring online. All three approaches provided the physiological conditions for lung engineering including perfusion, ventilation, constant temperature, and humidity.ResultsComparing the results of the second approach with the first one, more consistency and reproducibility in the engineered tissues were found. In addition to these advantages, the third approach provided continuous assessment of cell status which was obtained by the integration of oxygen transfer rate as an engineering parameter and cell respiration activity as a biological feature. The less human intervention in the regeneration process and more sterility were other benefits of the integrated approach.ConclusionIn conclusion, integration of engineering and biological parameters in bioreactors can lead to more consistent products, reduce the process time and labor intensity, maintain sterility and necessary information on tissue growth and maturity, which is required to have a functional tissue needed for commercialization.

Keywords:

Bioreactor , Commercialization , Integration , Lung tissue engineering , Regenerative medicine