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A 3D Bioprinted Gut Anaerobic Model for Studying Bacteria-Host Interactions
Liqin Cheng1, Tingting Liu2, Qiongg Liu1,2,3
1Centre for Translational Microbiome Research (CTMR), Department of Microbiology, Tumor, and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Research (Washington, D.C.)
|April 11, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed a novel 3D gut model simulating anaerobic intestinal conditions. This advanced model enables direct interaction studies between gut microbes and epithelial cells, enhancing our understanding of host-microbe dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- The human intestinal tract is crucial for host-microbe interactions.
- Existing 3D gut models struggle to replicate the anaerobic intestinal lumen.
- Previous models often used membranes, hindering studies of bacterial adhesion and invasion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a physiologically relevant 3D gut epithelium model.
- To culture this model under anaerobic conditions, mimicking the intestinal lumen.
- To investigate direct interactions between intestinal bacteria and epithelial cells.
Main Methods:
- Development of a 3D gut epithelium model.
- Culturing the model under anaerobic conditions with high cell viability.
- Co-culturing commensal and pathogenic intestinal bacteria directly with epithelial cells.
- Dual RNA sequencing to compare gene expression under aerobic and anaerobic conditions.
Main Results:
- Successful establishment of a 3D gut model maintaining high cell viability anaerobically.
- Demonstrated direct co-culture of diverse intestinal bacteria with the 3D gut model.
- Identified gene expression differences between aerobic and anaerobic conditions via dual RNA sequencing.
Conclusions:
- A novel, physiologically relevant 3D gut epithelium model simulating anaerobic conditions has been developed.
- This model facilitates direct investigation of host-microbe interactions.
- The system provides a powerful platform for future gut-microbe research.
