A team of researchers developed tissue-engineered lungs that can be implanted into rats and perform gas exchange. The study aimed to explore the potential of regenerating lung tissue in vitro. They used a procedure to remove cellular components from adult rat lungs, leaving behind a scaffold of extracellular matrix that retains the hierarchical branching structures of airways and vasculature. This scaffold was then used to culture pulmonary epithelium and vascular endothelium. The engineered lungs exhibited mechanical characteristics similar to native lung tissue and participated in gas exchange when implanted into rats for short periods. The study demonstrated that the acellular lung matrix can be repopulated with lung-specific cells, leading to the formation of a functional tissue-engineered lung. The matrix was characterized using various techniques, including micro-computed tomography, immunoblotting, and scanning electron microscopy, which confirmed the preservation of the lung's architecture and the removal of cellular components. The engineered lungs were tested for their ability to perform gas exchange, and results showed that they could effectively exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. The researchers also tested the feasibility of applying their methods to human lung tissues, showing that complete cellular removal was achieved with preservation of alveolar architecture. The engineered lungs were implanted into rats, and they were found to be functional, with no visible air leak and effective gas exchange. The study highlights the potential of tissue-engineered lungs for future applications in lung regeneration and transplantation. However, further research is needed to improve alveolar barrier function, increase surfactant production, and enhance differentiated epithelial cells for long-term functionality.A team of researchers developed tissue-engineered lungs that can be implanted into rats and perform gas exchange. The study aimed to explore the potential of regenerating lung tissue in vitro. They used a procedure to remove cellular components from adult rat lungs, leaving behind a scaffold of extracellular matrix that retains the hierarchical branching structures of airways and vasculature. This scaffold was then used to culture pulmonary epithelium and vascular endothelium. The engineered lungs exhibited mechanical characteristics similar to native lung tissue and participated in gas exchange when implanted into rats for short periods. The study demonstrated that the acellular lung matrix can be repopulated with lung-specific cells, leading to the formation of a functional tissue-engineered lung. The matrix was characterized using various techniques, including micro-computed tomography, immunoblotting, and scanning electron microscopy, which confirmed the preservation of the lung's architecture and the removal of cellular components. The engineered lungs were tested for their ability to perform gas exchange, and results showed that they could effectively exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. The researchers also tested the feasibility of applying their methods to human lung tissues, showing that complete cellular removal was achieved with preservation of alveolar architecture. The engineered lungs were implanted into rats, and they were found to be functional, with no visible air leak and effective gas exchange. The study highlights the potential of tissue-engineered lungs for future applications in lung regeneration and transplantation. However, further research is needed to improve alveolar barrier function, increase surfactant production, and enhance differentiated epithelial cells for long-term functionality.