Dendritic Cell-Mediated Enhancement of Th2 Immune Response: an In Vitro Asthma Model Research

Asthma is a complex disease characterized by chronic airway inflammation, involving interactions among various cell types and signaling pathways. This research aims to validate the amplifying effect of dendritic cells (DCs) on Th2 immune responses by constructing a novel microfluidic co-culture asthma model. Utilizing microfluidic technology, we designed a radial organoid array and employed gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) for 3D cell culture. A novel co-culture model for lung epithelial cells and dendritic cells was then established. Additionally, we improved the traditional digital ELISA detection method to achieve high-precision, simultaneous quantification of multiple cytokines. Experimental results indicate that alarmins (IL-25, IL-33, TSLP) released by epithelial cells polarize DCs toward a Th2-inducing phenotype, enhancing the Th2 immune response. This research presents a new method to detect allergic asthma and offers insights for future personalized treatment and precision medicine.