Development of a High-Throughput Screening Platform and a Pathogenesis Model for Leishmania Infection Based on Mouse
María-Cristina González-Montero1, Julia Andrés-Rodríguez1, Miguel Criado2
1Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24007 León, Spain.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|December 30, 2025
Summary
Mouse hepatic organoids offer a 3D alternative to animal models for drug discovery and disease research. These advanced models improve accuracy in predicting drug responses and studying host-parasite interactions.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Drug Discovery
- Parasitology
Background:
- Traditional 2D cell cultures and animal models have limitations in mimicking human physiology.
- Three-dimensional (3D) organoids offer a more accurate and ethical alternative for research.
- Mouse hepatic organoids are developed to address these limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize mouse hepatic organoids as an alternative model.
- To utilize these organoids for high-throughput drug screening and cytotoxicity testing.
- To establish a host-parasite interaction model for Leishmania donovani.
Main Methods:
- Development of mouse hepatic organoids from adult BALB/c mouse livers.
- Characterization using microscopy and transcriptional analysis.
- Co-culture with Leishmania donovani amastigotes, followed by RNA-seq and cytokine analysis.
Main Results:
- Successfully developed and characterized mouse hepatic organoids.
- Established a high-throughput screening platform for preclinical drug discovery.
- Created a functional host-parasite interaction model for Leishmania donovani.
Conclusions:
- Mouse hepatic organoids serve as a viable alternative model for drug discovery.
- This model enhances preclinical testing accuracy and reduces reliance on animal models.
- The organoid system is effective for studying host-pathogen interactions and pathogenesis.
