McGill Bioengineer Develops 3D-Printed Lung Tissue for Patients

A research team at the McGill University Health Centre has made significant strides in lung regenerative medicine by creating lung tissue using advanced 3D printing technology. Led by bioengineer Darcy Wagner, the team has developed a method that could potentially transform treatment options for patients with damaged lungs.

3D bioprinting involves extrusion-based bioprinting, where a polymer compatible with the human body is used to create tissue structures. “We have the cells in a liquid state of a polymer, a specific type of plastic that’s compatible with the body, and then it gels afterwards by a chemical trigger,” Wagner explained during a lab demonstration at the MUHC Research Institute in Montreal. She emphasized that this process mimics traditional 3D printing, but is tailored to ensure compatibility with living cells.

The impetus for this research stems from a global shortage of lungs available for transplantation. According to the MUHC, only about 7,000 lung transplants are performed each year worldwide, while millions of patients remain on waiting lists. “If you’re fortunate enough to receive one of these rare lungs, you face the worst outcomes of any solid organ transplant,” Wagner noted.

While three-dimensional bioprinting is not a new concept, this is the first instance of using materials specifically designed for lung tissue. Wagner’s team believes their innovative approach could revolutionize respiratory care. By creating new lung tissue to replace damaged areas, they aim to reduce the necessity for lung transplants, particularly in cases of lung or airway cancers where tumors invade specific regions. “If we can just reconstruct that part, this could significantly improve outcomes for many patients,” Wagner stated.

So far, experiments in mice have shown promising results, with no signs of rejection observed. “The materials we designed actually promote the growth of new blood vessels from the patient themselves,” she said.

Dr. Alan Forster, the director of innovation, quality, and performance at the MUHC, believes this breakthrough aligns with the growing field of personalized medicine. “Personalized medicine entails specific therapies tailored for individuals based on their biology, background, and specific diseases,” he said. Forster views innovations like Wagner’s as “designer treatments” that could lead to major shifts in healthcare delivery.

Despite the excitement surrounding this advancement, challenges remain. Forster highlighted the need for sustainable funding models to ensure accessibility to these innovations. “We must consider how to make this sustainable for the entire population,” he emphasized. He suggested that reforming insurance practices may be necessary to support broader access to such technologies.

Wagner’s research has already garnered substantial financial support, including over $375,000 from the MUHC foundation. However, the journey is far from over. The team now aims to create larger tissue samples suitable for human trials, which will be vital before any clinical application can be pursued.

As the field of 3D bioprinting continues to evolve, Wagner’s work at the MUHC represents a significant step toward addressing the critical shortage of donor organs and improving treatment outcomes for patients with lung diseases.