Oral host-microbe interactions investigated in 3D organotypic models

Area of Science:

• Oral microbiology
• Biomedical engineering
• Tissue engineering

Background:

• The oral cavity hosts a complex microbial ecosystem that significantly impacts host health.
• Understanding host-microbe interactions (HMI) is crucial for oral health and disease.
• Current in vitro models struggle to replicate the in vivo complexity of oral HMI.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing three-dimensional (3D) organotypic oral tissue models for studying HMI.
• To compare the designs, readouts, and applications of these advanced in vitro models.
• To discuss future perspectives in 3D oral HMI research.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of literature on 3D organotypic oral tissue models.
• Comparison of model designs based on complexity and research applicability.
• Analysis of readouts and applications for studying oral host-microbe interactions.

Main Results:

• Various 3D organotypic models of oral epithelium and mucosa/gingiva are available.
• Model complexity varies depending on specific research objectives.
• These models offer improved mimicry of in vivo oral conditions for HMI studies.

Conclusions:

• 3D organotypic oral tissue models represent an advanced approach to studying HMI.
• These models facilitate a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying oral health and disease.
• Further development and standardization of these models are essential for future research.