The emerging roles of intestinal organoid models in inflammatory bowel disease research

The chronic immune mediated gastrointestinal disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), is increasing in prevalence. However, IBD pathogenesis remains unclear despite decades of research. Therefore, new methods and models of disease are required to gain further insights into IBD pathogenesis. Recent advances in stem cell culture technology now allows for the routine in vitro culture of stem cells derived from an individual. These in vitro stem cells can differentiate into cell-types and cell clusters that resemble the tissue origin of the stem cells. These cell clusters have been termed organoids.

Following review of recent available literature, the goal of this review was to specifically focus on intestinal organoids and provide basic methodology of organoid derivation. The review will also discuss the current and potential applications of intestinal organoid models in Gastroenterology research including IBD pathogenesis, host-microbiome interactions, therapeutic response and drug discovery, very-early onset IBD, organ-on-a-chip and bioprinted models.

Organoids offer tangible benefits for improved patient outcomes, particularly with respect to personalized medicine approaches to IBD management.