Perspectives on precision cut lung slices-powerful tools for investigation of mechanisms and therapeutic targets in lung diseases

Precision cut lung slices (PCLS) have emerged as powerful experimental tools for respiratory research. Pioneering studies using mouse PCLS to visualize intrapulmonary airway contractility have been extended to pulmonary arteries and for assessment of novel bronchodilators and vasodilators as therapeutics. Additional disease-relevant outcomes, including inflammatory, fibrotic, and regenerative responses, are now routinely measured in PCLS from multiple species, including humans. This review provides an overview of established and innovative uses of PCLS as an intermediary between cellular and organ-based studies and focuses on opportunities to increase their application to investigate mechanisms and therapeutic targets to oppose excessive airway contraction and fibrosis in lung diseases.

Automated summary

Precision cut lung slices (PCLS) are powerful experimental tools for respiratory research. They have been used to visualize airway and pulmonary artery contractility, assess bronchodilators and vasodilators, and measure disease-related outcomes in various species, including humans. This review highlights the established and innovative uses of PCLS as an intermediary between cellular and organ-based studies, and emphasizes their potential in investigating mechanisms and therapeutic targets for airway contraction and fibrosis in lung diseases.