Exposure at the air/liquid interface

The exposure of mammalian cells or tissues to airborne substances is frequently performed under submerged conditions. In doing so, the test substances are dosed into the culture medium. This procedure results in an undesired interaction of the formerly airborne substances with the medium, causing limitations for authentic analysis.

VITROCELL® Flow Illustration

In response to the scientific need to expose in physiologically relevant conditions, VITROCELL^® systems have been specifically designed and engineered to enable direct exposure of mammalian cells or tissue at the air/liquid interface where the cell systems are not covered with culture medium. Researchers can thus use all cell types cultivated on microporous membranes. This approach allows for more credible and authentic results than by submerged exposure due to a closer replication of the human physiology.

Submerged Exposure
Cells on Insert

A Incomplete particle sedimentation
B Submerged cells
C Cell culture media

Submerged cultures “drown” cells, differing differentiation and response.
Interaction of test substance with media (dissolving, lipophilic substances float, formation of a protein corona).
Different / incomplete sedimentation times of particles = inconsistent dose.
Lack of suitable dosimetry methods.

Lacks relevance to human exposure

Submerged Exposure Suspension Cells

A Cells in media

Interaction of test substance with media (dissolving, lipophilic substances float, formation of a protein corona).
Different / incomplete sedimentation times of particles = inconsistent dose.
Lack of suitable dosimetry methods.

Lacks relevance to human exposure

Air/Liquid Exposure Module (ALI)
Controlled Deposition

A Direct and controlled exposure
B Cells on insert at ALI
C Basal supply of cell culture media

The lung epithelium is naturally exposed to air, not liquid.

ALI promotes:
- Physiological cell structure (mucus, cilia)
- Barrier integrity (TEER)
- Relevant cell markers (cytokines, ROS)
ALI preserves the native route of exposure.
ALI exposure maintains original reactivity of the test compound.
Integration of dosimetry tools

High relevance to human exposure