Innovations in intestinal organoid technology featuring an open apical surface

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Regenerative Medicine
• Stem Cell Biology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Adult stem cell-derived organoid technology provides advanced in vitro models of organ physiology.
• Three-dimensional (3D) intestinal organoids overcome limitations of traditional cell cultures for studying gastrointestinal development and diseases.
• Current 3D organoid models face challenges including limited apical surface access, difficulty in modeling chronic diseases, and lack of mechanical cues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review innovations in intestinal organoid models addressing current limitations.
• To focus on adult stem cell-derived models with open apical surfaces.
• To discuss the prospects and challenges of these advanced models for research and clinical applications.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent advancements in intestinal organoid culture systems.
• Focus on Transwell-based monolayer cultures and microfluidic device-based technologies.
• Analysis of scaffold-guided 'mini-gut' systems and organ-on-a-chip models.

Main Results:

• New organoid systems provide enhanced accessibility to the epithelial apical surface.
• Innovations facilitate improved modeling of host-microbe interactions.
• Advanced models offer potential for studying chronic gastrointestinal diseases and incorporating mechanical cues.

Conclusions:

• Recent innovations in intestinal organoid technology are overcoming critical limitations of earlier models.
• Open apical surface organoids and microfluidic systems show promise for advancing gastrointestinal research.
• These improved in vitro models hold significant potential for basic research and clinical applications in gastroenterology.