Generation and characterization of taste organoids from primates

Taste perception is mediated by specialized epithelial taste cells organized into taste buds. We previously demonstrated that "taste organoids" can be generated from taste stem cells isolated from the circumvallate papillae of mice. Although such organoids are useful for studying taste-cell differentiation and sensory signaling, their application has been largely limited to rodent systems, which are not well suited for assessing responses such as umami. To develop a model more relevant to human taste biology, we sought to establish taste organoids from a non-human primate (macaque). Here, we report the generation of macaque taste organoids. These organoids express key taste receptors and signaling molecules, and calcium imaging confirmed their functional responsiveness, including to umami stimuli. This primate-derived taste organoid platform offers a valuable foundation for translational research and for the discovery of novel tastants.