RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Developing a novel in vitro 3D airway model to provide a viable alternative to animal use in asthma research JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP P3732 VO 40 IS Suppl 56 A1 Gavin Morris A1 Leigh-Anne Carroll A1 Alan Knox A1 John Aylott A1 Amir Ghaemmaghami A1 Felicity Rose YR 2012 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P3732.abstract AB Studies into airway disease have been limited to whole animal in vivo or single cell-type in vitro studies. In asthma, mouse immunological studies have lead to our understanding of the Th2 paradigm, but this reveals only a modest proportion of the human condition. In vitro primary cells studies provide insight into the underlying signaling mechanisms in airway disease, but tissue cultured-plastic restricts cell growth to a 2D monolayer. Reliance on these traditional platforms is decreasing as current protocols (such as using electrospun matrices) provide a better 3D environment for cells to inhabit in vitro.We are developing a tissue engineered 3D model of an airway bronchiole containing the three main structural cells (epithelial, fibroblast, and smooth muscle) sourced from both healthy and asthmatic patients. Using defined electrospinning parameters we have developed both nano- and micro-fibrous scaffolds to support the cell types within a 3D environment. Once the cell types have been grown on their tailored scaffolds, they are combined to form a simple construct of the bronchiole and held in a flow perfusion bioreactor to provide effective nutrient exchange and metabolic waste removal.We have optimized a nanofibrous polyethylene tetraphthalate (PET) electrospun scaffold for epithelial cell growth and differentiation. Fibroblast and smooth muscle cells have been successfully cultured on a microfibrous PET electrospun scaffold. The scaffold system provides a platform to investigate cell-cell interactions within a bi- or tri-culture system. Preliminary data suggest fibroblasts play an important role in epithelial cell responses to airway inflammatory mediators.