ImmuLUNG™

Introducing ImmuLUNG™

The ImmuLUNG™ cell model developed by ImmuONE can help predict how lung epithelial and immune cells respond to inhaled substances. Used in-house as part of ImmuONE’s services, ImmuLUNG™ combines human alveolar epithelial cells and alveolar macrophage-like cells in a 3D environment.

Human alveolar-like macrophages

Terminally differentiated
High phagocytic function
Display and maintain profile of tissue-resident macrophages (CD11b, CD11c, CD14)
Produce pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines
Closely represents the morphology of human primary alveolar macrophages

Human alveolar epithelial cells

Characteristic expression of epithelial cell markers (e.g. occludin, ZO-1)
Type-I-like properties (expression of caveolin-1, absence of surfactant prot C)
Growth in liquid-liquid as well as air-liquid conditions
Tight intercellular junctions and formation of desmosomes
Low permeability
High transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) readings

WHAT IS IMMULUNG™?

ImmuLUNG™ combines human alveolar epithelial cells and alveolar macrophage-like cells in a 3D environment. The interactions between these two cell types provide better physiological representation, enabling a more accurate and in-depth understanding of how inhaled products interact with the airways in the deep lung.

Key Features and Benefits:

Maintains phenotype, morphology, and function for up to 14 days in culture.
Constructed in-house ensuring high standards of reproducibility.
Suitable for both apical and basal dose experiments.
Functional epithelial tight junctions.
Production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines that regulate the inflammatory response in the alveolus.
Viability and activity maintained for up to 2 weeks in culture and in line with the function of native human macrophages* (*when cultured in-house in ImmuONE laboratories as part of our services)
The ImmuLUNG™ model can be used to generate reproducible toxicological, pharmacological and pharmacokinetic information for inhaled products such as pharmaceuticals and consumer goods.
ImmuLUNG™ is currently available as part of ImmuONE’s service packages – coming soon as a standalone product.

How it works

The model is composed of alveolar macrophage-like cells assembled in vitro in well plates, that closely represent the form and function of human cells. Substances are added to the well plates, and adverse responses can then be evaluated. ImmuPHAGE™ is fully validated and characterised for cell structure & viability, phagocytic activity and cytokine response. ImmuPHAGE™ is available for purchase as a product and as part of ImmuONE’s service packages.

Watch our video below to see how to use ImmuPHAGE™

How it works

ImmuLUNG™ combines human alveolar epithelial cells and alveolar macrophage-like cells in a 3D environment. The resulting cellular crosstalk can better recreate lung tissue functions and immune response modulations.

Available as an in-house service at ImmuONE, these immortalised human alveolar epithelial and macrophage-like cells are preassembled on tissue culture well plates. A range of test materials can be applied to the model in solution, suspension or as an aerosol, and the biological responses of individual cells or the whole system can be monitored.

ImmuLUNG™ is currently available as part of ImmuONE’s service packages – coming soon as a standalone product.

USES FOR IMMULUNG™

Inhalation toxicology

to understand the safety and fate of inhaled substances

Cytotoxicity

to assess substance effects on membrane integrity and viability

Cell stress

to monitor cell’s mitochondrial activity and how they handle damaging reactive oxygen species

Morphometric assessment

to evaluate morphological changes within a cell and population, used with high-content analysis

Safety pharmacology

to measure phagocytosis and macrophage polarisation

Inflammation

to identify pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines critical for regulating inflammation in the alveolus

Epithelial barrier integrity

evaluating and monitoring tight junctions between cells through paracellular permeability assays, and epithelial tissue through transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) assays

Epithelial permeability assessment

flux, P app , cellular uptake

Advantages of using ImmuLUNG™

Ready and easy to use
Maintains its phenotype, morphology and function for up to 14 days in culture
Constructed in-house to our high standards of quality control and reproducibility
The patented ImmuLUNG™ model is characterised for morphology, viability, and functionality of both immune and barrier properties
Suitable for both apical and basal dose experiments