The complexity and rapid clearance mechanisms of lung tissue make it difficult to develop effective treatments for many chronic pathologies. We are investigating lung derived extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogels as a novel approach for delivery of cellular therapies to the pulmonary system. The main objectives of this study include effective decellularization of porcine lung tissue, development of a hydrogel from the porcine ECM, and characterization of the material's composition, mechanical properties, and ability to support cellular growth. Our evaluation of the decellularized tissue indicated successful removal of cellular material and immunogenic remnants in the ECM. The self-assembly of the lung ECM hydrogel was rapid, reaching maximum modulus values within 3 min at 37°C. Rheological characterization showed the lung ECM hydrogel to have a concentration dependent storage modulus between 15 and 60 Pa. The purpose of this study was to evaluate our novel ECM derived hydrogel and measure its ability to support 3D culture of MSCs in vitro and in vivo delivery of MSCs. Our in vitro experiments using human mesenchymal stem cells demonstrated our novel ECM hydrogel's ability to enhance cellular attachment and viability. Our in vivo experiments demonstrated that rat MSC delivery in pre-gel solution significantly increased cell retention in the lung over 24 h in an emphysema rat model. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1922-1935, 2016.

Introduction Ventilator-Induced lung injury (VILI) is a form of acute lung injury that is initiated or exacerbated by mechanical ventilation. The aging lung is also more susceptible to injury. Harmful mechanical stretch of the alveolar epithelium is a recognized mechanism of VILI, yet little is known about how mechanical stretch affects aged epithelial cells. Disruption to Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) homeostasis results in a condition known as ER stress that leads to disruption of cellular homeostasis, apoptosis, and inflammation. ER stress is increased with aging and other pathological stimuli. We hypothesized that age and mechanical stretch increase alveolar epithelial cells’ proinflammatory responses that are mediated by ER stress. Furthermore, we believed that inhibition of this upstream mechanism with 4PBA, an ER stress reducer, alleviates subsequent inflammation and monocyte recruitment. Methods Type II alveolar epithelial cells (ATII) were harvested from C57Bl6/J mice 2 months (young) and 20 months (old) of age. The cells were cyclically stretched at 15% change in surface area for up to 24 hours. Prior to stretch, groups were administered 4PBA or vehicle as a control. Results Mechanical stretch and age upregulated ER stress and proinflammatory MCP-1/CCL2 and MIP-1β/CCL4 chemokine expression in ATIIs. Age-matched and mismatched monocyte recruitment by ATII conditioned media was also quantified. Conclusions Age increases susceptibility to stretch-induced ER stress and downstream inflammatory gene expression in a primary ATII epithelial cell model. Administration of 4PBA attenuated the increased ER stress and proinflammatory responses from stretch and/or age and significantly reduced monocyte migration to ATII conditioned media.

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Ventilator-Induced lung injury (VILI) is a form of acute lung injury that is initiated or exacerbated by mechanical ventilation. The aging lung is more susceptible to lung injury. Harmful mechanical stretch of the alveolar epithelium is a recognized mechanism of VILI, yet little is known about how mechanical stretch affects aged epithelial cells. An activated response known as Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Stress occurs at the cellular level, which is increased with aging. The disrupted ER function results in disruption in cellular homeostasis, apoptosis, and inflammation. We hypothesized that age and mechanical stretch increase proinflammatory gene expression that is mediated by ER stress. Type II alveolar epithelial cells (ATII) were harvested from C57Bl6/J mice 8 weeks (young) and 20 months (old) of age. The cells were cyclically mechanically stretched at 15% change in surface area for up to 24 hours. Prior to stretch, groups were administered 4-PBA or vehicle as a control. Mechanical stretch upregulated both ER stress and proinflammatory gene expression in ATIIs. Age-matched and mis-matched monocyte recruitment by ATII conditioned media was quantified. Administration of 4-PBA attenuated both the ER stress and proinflammatory increases from stretch and/or age and significantly reduced monocyte migration to ATII conditioned media. Age increases susceptibility to stretch-induced ER stress and downstream inflammation in a primary ATII epithelial cell model.