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COVID-19 - prime time for microphysiological systems, as illustrated for the brain
Ian Kang1, Lena Smirnova1, Jens H Kuhn2
1Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
ALTEX
|October 26, 2021
Summary
Microphysiological systems (MPS) offer advanced models for studying COVID-19, particularly its effects on the human brain. These organoid models successfully replicate SARS-CoV-2 brain cell infection, aiding research into neurological manifestations.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Infectious Diseases
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Effective infectious disease therapies require accurate disease models.
- Human organoids and organs-on-chips are promising bioengineered models.
- The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted limitations of animal models for studying SARS-CoV-2 effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the utility of microphysiological systems (MPS) for in vitro COVID-19 research.
- To focus on studying severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in human brain organoids.
- To investigate the translational relevance of these models to human neurological manifestations of COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing human brain organoids as microphysiological systems.
- Exposing organoids to SARS-CoV-2 to model infection.
- Analyzing infection patterns and viral replication within brain cells.
- Comparing in vitro findings with clinical observations in COVID-19 patients.
Main Results:
- Multiple studies successfully reproduced SARS-CoV-2 neurovirulence in human brain organoids.
- Consistent findings show limited infection and viral replication in a subset of brain cells.
- These results align with observed neurological symptoms and biomarkers in COVID-19 patients.
Conclusions:
- Human brain organoids serve as valuable in vitro models for studying SARS-CoV-2 neurotropism.
- MPS can elucidate the pathogenesis of COVID-19-associated neurological dysfunction.
- Future MPS development holds promise for understanding long-term neurological consequences and testing interventions.
