Immune organoids: emerging platforms for modeling and analyzing human adaptive immunity
Tianlong Li1,2, Dingkun Peng1, Meng Yao1,2
1State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
Frontiers in Immunology
|August 22, 2025
Summary
New in vitro immune organ models bridge the gap between lab research and clinical application. These advanced platforms, including immune organoids, enhance understanding of adaptive immunity and vaccine development.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Translational Medicine
- Biotechnology
Background:
- A significant translational gap exists between basic immunology research and clinical applications.
- This gap is often due to the disconnect between in vitro studies and in vivo models.
- Existing in vitro models do not fully recapitulate the complexity of human immune organs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in in vitro models of immune organs.
- To highlight the potential of immune organoids for bridging the translational gap.
- To provide a framework for future translational immunology research.
Main Methods:
- Integration of ex vivo culture, microfluidic chips, engineered tissues, and organoid technologies.
- Systematic review of current immune organ-based in vitro models.
- Classification of immune organoids based on origin and construction.
Main Results:
- Successful establishment of a new-generation in vitro immune simulation platform.
- Immune organoids demonstrate unique advantages for studying immune responses.
- Multi-model integration is emphasized for comprehensive simulation.
Conclusions:
- In vitro immune organ models offer a promising solution to bridge the translational gap.
- Immune organoids represent a key advancement in in vitro immunology.
- This platform facilitates progress in adaptive immunity and vaccine development.
