Modern approaches to the creation of 2D and 3D cellular models for the study of lung fibrosis

Abstract

Lung fibrosis is a consequence of many influences leading to damage to lung tissue and the development of subsequent inflammation. Fibrosis is an overgrowth of connective tissue, which can lead to a violation of the architectonics of the lungs and reduce their functionality up to a fatal outcome. At the same time, the mechanisms underlying fibrogenesis are currently insufficiently studied. In this regard, the task of studying them does not lose its relevance, and its solution requires the development of models of lung fibrosis that can reflect all the key processes of fibrogenesis.The in vivo model using animals has multiple undeniable advantages, but at the same time it has strict ethical limitations and does not reflect all the mechanisms of lung fibrosis inherent in the human body. At the same time, in vitro research, scientists can afford to use biomaterials not only of animals, but also of humans, and build cellular systems based on them — from 2D to 3D models. Modeling of pulmonary fibrosis is mainly based on the use of the main types of cells involved in the development of pulmonary fibrosis, such as myofibroblasts, fibroblasts, alveolocytes and others. Some models are also based on a specific fibrosis-associated extracellular matrix and further study of the interaction of cells with each other and with the matrix. It should be borne in mind that different models display individual nuances of the native processes of lung fibrogenesis, which requires the research community to use a wide range of models. Taking into account the multifactorial pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis, it is important to understand the totality of the processes taking place in order to obtain the completeness of the real picture, close to the picture in vivo, and therefore the multicomponence of models is important. This review focuses on the analysis of various models of lung fibrosis in vitro in two-dimensional and three-dimensional systems, shows approaches to their creation, key differences, main advantages and disadvantages of models, both particular and general.