The function of a well-differentiated nasal epithelium is largely affected by airflow-induced wall shear stress, yet fewmodels recapitulate this dynamic condition. Models which do expose cells to airflow exclusively initiate flow after the differentiation process has occurred., basal cells are constantly replenishing the epithelium under airflow conditions, indicating that airflow may affect the development and function of the differentiated epithelium.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOrgan-on-a-chip (OOC) models based on microfluidic technology are increasingly used to obtain mechanistic insight into (patho)physiological processes in humans, and they hold great promise for application in drug development and regenerative medicine. Despite significant progress in OOC development, several limitations of conventional microfluidic devices pose challenges. First, most microfluidic systems have rectangular cross sections and flat walls, and therefore tubular/ curved structures, like blood vessels and nephrons, are not well represented.
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