Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 29, 2025
Establishing Human Lung Organoids and Proximal Differentiation to Generate Mature Airway Organoids
Published on: March 23, 2022
Lung Organoids as Model to Study SARS-CoV-2 Infection
1The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Science, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China.
Abstract:
Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has become a global pandemic and has severely affected socio-economic conditions and people's life. The lung is the major target organ infected and (seriously) damaged by SARS-CoV-2, so a comprehensive understanding of the virus and the mechanism of infection are the first choices to overcome COVID-19. Recent studies have demonstrated the enormous value of human organoids as platforms for virological research, making them an ideal tool for researching host-pathogen interactions. In this study, the various existing lung organoids and their identification biomarkers and applications are summarized. At the same time, the seven coronaviruses currently capable of infecting humans are outlined. Finally, a detailed summary of existing studies on SARS-CoV-2 using lung organoids is provided and includes pathogenesis, drug development, and precision treatment. This review highlights the value of lung organoids in studying SARS-CoV-2 infection, bringing hope that research will alleviate COVID-19-associated lung infections.
Insights
Human lung organoids are valuable tools for studying severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection mechanisms, pathogenesis, and developing treatments for coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). This research offers hope for alleviating COVID-19-related lung damage.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Organoid Technology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, is a global pandemic impacting socio-economic conditions.
- The lungs are the primary organ targeted and damaged by SARS-CoV-2.
- Understanding viral mechanisms is crucial for combating COVID-19.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize existing lung organoid models for virological research.
- To outline human-infecting coronaviruses.
- To review studies on SARS-CoV-2 using lung organoids for pathogenesis, drug development, and precision treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of lung organoids and their applications.
- Compilation of information on human coronaviruses.
- Synthesis of existing research on SARS-CoV-2 utilizing lung organoids.
Main Results:
- Human organoids serve as effective platforms for virological research and studying host-pathogen interactions.
- Lung organoids are instrumental in understanding SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis.
- Organoids aid in the development of drugs and precision treatments for COVID-19.
Conclusions:
- Lung organoids are vital for advancing research into SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- This research highlights the potential of organoids to alleviate COVID-19-associated lung infections.
- Organoid technology offers a promising avenue for future COVID-19 research and therapeutic strategies.
