Resistance and compliance of decellularized lungs

• Grant number: 15/13445-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2015
• End date: December 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Luís Vicente Franco de Oliveira
• Grantee: Leticia Lopes Guimarães
• Host Institution: Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE). Campus Vergueiro. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Significant respiratory diseases as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, primary pulmonary hypertension, interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis and 1-antitrypsin deficiency result in irreversible structural damage lung, and the lung transplant as the only therapeutic indication when the disease reaches an advanced progression. Current limitations on organ donations therefore require strategies to increase the availability of organs for transplantation. Necessity is reinforced by the progressive aging of the population, increasing the waiting list of patients with severe respiratory diseases. In this context, bioengineering lungs is considered a potential therapeutic alternative, although the current research are in preliminary stages and more intense scientific efforts are then necessary. The matrix of decellularized organs potentially maintains the three-dimensional architecture and biochemical composition, as well as the original tissue microvasculature. These properties make the decellularized lung, very promising for generating functional bioartificial organs from scaffolds lungs. Thus, this study aims to investigate in an experimental animal model, the behavior of the mechanical properties of mouse lungs during and after the decellularization procedure. After decellularization process of the lungs, the DNA quantitation is performed and quantification of extracellular matrix components (ECM). The mechanical parameters will be collected through the occlusion method at the end of inspiration and also through the equation of motion. To carry out this project was signed a partnership with the study group of the Biophysics Laboratory and Bioengineering at the University of Barcelona - Spain. (AU)