In vitro and in vivo Hydrogel Model Systems Core Unit

The investigation of functional and structural properties of the hydrogels covering the epithelial surfaces of the lung and the intestine, and the elucidation of their contribution to mucosal function in health and disease, requires access to consistent and appropriately processed samples of these native hydrogels, as well as model systems of these delicate biointerfaces. Thus, the task of the Core Unit Z02 will be:

1) The establishment of reliable protocols for procurement, processing and long-term storage of native airway and intestinal mucus of healthy individuals and patients with cystic fibrosis as a genetic model of muco-obstructive lung disease and patients with inflammatory bowel disease, as well as disease-relevant cell and
mouse models and respective controls, with minimal alteration of its native properties.

2) Establishment and provision of validated in vitro (2D and 3D cell/tissue culture) and in vivo (mouse) models for studies of hydrogel (dys)function on airway and intestinal surfaces in health and disease. Iterative and comparative method development concerning harvesting, processing, purification and storage of mucus is needed to provide native human and mouse-derived mucus samples of high quality and with reliable properties. Mucus producing 2D and 3D cell and tissue culture models of the intestinal and airway epithelial barrier with long shelf-life will be biofabricated with the help of 3D printing, organoid and bioreactor technology and conventional in vitro tissue engineering approaches to feature human and mouse mucus properties in health and disease. In addition, representative (transgenic and knock-out) mouse models will be provided. In summary, the Hydrogel Model Systems Core Unit will provide these materials and model systems to the consortium including native healthy and diseased human- and animal-derived mucus as well as mucus producing epithelial in vitro and in vivo models of the lung and intestine appropriate for the research questions addressed in the CRC 1449.