A rapidly prototyped, simple yet versatile dynamic breathing Exposure-on-a-Chip for investigating nanoparticle deposition in the alveoli

Abstract

We developed and characterized a three-layer microfluidic Exposure-on-a-Chip (EOC) model to replicate the alveolar microenvironment and simulate breathing motions, offering a physiologically relevant platform for studying inhaled nanomedicines. The EOC chip, fabricated from biocompatible polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), features a fluidic chamber for cell culture, a pneumatic chamber for pressure application, and a thin PDMS membrane (150 {micro}m) separating the chambers to support cell growth and enable mechanical stretching. Xurography and 3D printing were validated as efficient and reproducible fabrication methods. Mechanical characterization, using fluorescent bead tracing, confirmed that the PDMS membrane accurately mimics alveolar breathing motions under physiological conditions (1-8% strain). Biological validation showed that alveolar epithelial and endothelial cells cultured on the EOC formed functional monolayers, maintaining barrier integrity under cyclic and static stretching, separately. To study nanoparticle behavior, we examined the deposition of nanoparticles under dynamic stretching versus static conditions. Significantly fewer nanoparticles accumulated in cells under continuous dynamic exposure with stretching compared to static culture, highlighting the critical role of mechanical forces in nanoparticle-cell interactions. The EOC platform provides a robust and scalable tool for evaluating nanomedicine efficacy in dynamic environments, representing a significant advancement in alveolus-on-chip technology.