The human lung has a remarkable role in respiration and immune defense, with complex interactions between the immune responses of the alveolar mucosa¹. The ability of the alveoli to create an efficient immune response is vital for preventing lung infections and securing pulmonary health. Since the lungs are constantly exposed to a wide range of potential risks, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, allergies, and particulate matter, understanding the complexities of alveolar mucosal immune responses is critical for discovering the mechanisms behind respiratory infections, inflammatory disorders and treating pulmonary diseases¹.

To study infection and inflammation-related processes of the respiratory tract in vitro, models that could faithfully mimic the alveolar milieu and the immune responses are required. 2D cell culture and animal modules have been used for decades as essential tools for biomedical research on lung immune response. However, they often have limitations in their translational potential to human situations. Lung-on-chip models can contribute to filling the gap between traditional in vitro and in vivo models and provide a novel approach to studying human-specific immune responses²^,³. Lung-on-chip models can mimic the air-liquid interface, which is required for lung cells to recapitulate physiological conditions of the respiratory tract and to develop a more accurate and robust tissue model. This culture technique enables a precise examination of cell differentiation, functioning, and responses to drugs or disease-related stimuli in vitro².

In this study, we present a microfluidic-based model of the human alveolus as an effective tool to recapitulate the human alveolar milieu by applying perfusion to mimic blood flow and biomechanical stimulation of endothelial cells and incorporating an air-liquid interface with epithelial cells exposed towards an air phase⁴. We have developed a microfluidic perfused alveolus-on-chip that mimics the physical structure and biological interactions of the human alveolus, with a particular focus on the air-liquid interface. This interface plays a crucial role in the differentiation of respiratory epithelial cells, which is essential for accurately modeling the pulmonary environment. The model uses human distal lung epithelial cells (H441) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), separated by porous polyethylene terephthalate (PET) membranes, with primary monocyte-derived macrophages positioned between the cell layers. This setup replicates the intricate cellular arrangement of the alveolus and is critical for accurately simulating the air-liquid interface, which is a significant factor in the physiological function of lung tissue.

The rationale behind the model development extends to integrating both circulating and tissue-resident immune cells. This approach is designed to accurately mimic the inflammatory host response to human respiratory infections, providing a dynamic environment to study pathogen-host interactions. The presence of macrophages allows for the examination of immediate immune responses and their interaction with pathogens, reflecting the first line of defense against respiratory infections. Furthermore, the design of the biochip platform facilitates convenient and precise manipulation of both biophysical and biochemical cues, which is crucial for replicating alveolus function in vitro. This flexibility is instrumental in dissecting the contributing factors to human infections, enabling researchers to adjust conditions to reflect various disease states or to test potential therapeutic interventions. The compatibility of the platform with multiple readout technologies, including advanced microscopy, microbiological analyses, and biochemical effluent analysis, enhances its utility. These capabilities allow for a comprehensive assessment of the tissue response to infections, including evaluating cellular behavior, pathogen proliferation, and the effectiveness of immune responses.

We present a detailed protocol and techniques to create and utilize a human alveolus-on-chip model focused on replicating the air-liquid interface and integrating immune cells to study human infections in vitro.

Advanced Biochip Perfusion and Air-Liquid Interface Establishment of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells for Tissue Culture Analysis