Advances and Global Trends in Three-Dimensional Human Tissue Models for HIV Research: A Bibliometric Analysis

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Research
• Tissue Engineering
• Microfluidics
• Immunology

Background:

• Antiretroviral therapy manages human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but has not yielded a cure or vaccine.
• Three-dimensional (3D) human tissue models offer novel avenues for HIV research.
• A scientometric analysis of 3D human tissue models in HIV research was lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and comparatively analyze the progress of three-dimensional (3D) in vitro models for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) research.
• To understand the evolutive history and future trends of these models in HIV research.

Main Methods:

• Bibliometric comparative analysis of 852 documents published between 2014 and 2024.
• Review of organoids, organ-on-a-chip, and 3D bioprinting models for HIV research.

Main Results:

• Organoids (brain, intestinal, tonsil, kidney, thymus, spleen) effectively support HIV infection in vitro.
• Organ-on-a-chip models are primarily used for rapid HIV detection.
• 3D bioprinting models are applied in in vitro HIV detection and diagnosis.
• Research output remained stable; European institutions significantly contributed.
• Research hotspots evolved from antiretroviral therapy to 3D printing and organoids.

Conclusions:

• Three-dimensional (3D) human tissue models are increasingly vital for in vitro human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) research.
• These models, including organoids, organ-on-a-chip, and 3D bioprinting, represent emerging human-relevant organotypic models.
• Continued development and application of these advanced models are crucial for future HIV research and therapeutic strategies.