Artificial organ culture system

摘要

The present invention provides an artificial organ system comprising an endothelial cell layer, an epithelial cell layer and an artificial microporous membrane disposed between and indirect contact with the endothelial cell layer and epithelial cell layer such that the membrane has an endothelial side and an epithelial side. Also provided is a method of constructing an artificial organ system, comprising the steps of placing an artificial microporous membrane into a tissue culture well and supporting the membrane a selected distance from a bottom of the well to create an upper and lower chamber in the well such that the membrane has an endothelial side facing the bottom of the well and an opposite epithelial side; placing endothelial cells into the upper chamber of the well under conditions such that the endothelial cells form a confluent layer of cells on the epithelial side of the membrane; and placing epithelial cells into the upper chamber of the well under conditions such that the endothelial cells migrate through pores in the membrane and attach to the endothelial side of the membrane to form a confluent layer of endothelial cells on the endothelial side of the membrane and the epithelial cells form a confluent layer of epithelial cells on the epithelial side of the membrane.