Translational Utility of Organoid Models for Biomedical Research on Gastrointestinal Diseases

Organoid models have recently been utilized to study 3D human-derived tissue systems to uncover tissue architecture and adult stem cell biology. Patient-derived organoids unambiguously provide the most suitable in vitro system to study disease biology with the actual genetic background. With the advent of much improved and innovative approaches, patient-derived organoids can potentially be used in regenerative medicine. Various human tissues were explored to develop organoids due to their multifold advantage over the conventional in vitro cell line culture approach and in vivo models. Gastrointestinal (GI) tissues have been widely studied to establish organoids and organ-on-chip for screening drugs, nutraceuticals, and other small molecules having therapeutic potential. The function of channel proteins, transporters, and transmembrane proteins was also explained. The successful application of genome editing in organoids using the CRISPR-Cas approach has been reported recently. GI diseases such as Celiac disease (CeD), Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and common GI cancers have been investigated using several patient-derived organoid models. Recent advancements on organoid bio-banking and 3D bio-printing contributed significantly in personalized disease management and therapeutics. This article reviews the available literature on investigations and translational applications of patient-derived GI organoid models, notably on elucidating gut-microbial interaction and epigenetic modifications.