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Hiraiwa T, Yoshii S, Kawada J, Sugawara T, Kawasaki T, Shibata S, Shindo T, Fujimori K, Umezawa A, Akutsu H. A human iPSC-Derived myelination model for investigating fetal brain injuries. Regen Ther 2025; 29:100-107. [PMID: 40162018 PMCID: PMC11953958 DOI: 10.1016/j.reth.2025.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2025] [Revised: 02/18/2025] [Accepted: 02/27/2025] [Indexed: 04/02/2025] Open
Abstract
Cerebral white matter injuries, such as periventricular leukomalacia, are major contributors to neurodevelopmental impairments in preterm infants. Despite the clinical significance of these conditions, human-relevant models for studying fetal brain development and injury mechanisms remain limited. This study introduces a human iPSC-derived myelination model developed using a microfluidic device. The platform combines spinal cord-patterned neuronal and oligodendrocyte spheroids to recapitulate axon-glia interactions and myelination processes in vitro. The model successfully achieved axonal fascicle formation and compact myelin deposition, as validated by immunostaining and transmission electron microscopy. Functional calcium imaging confirmed neuronal activity within the system, underscoring its physiological relevance. While myelination efficiency was partial, with some axons remaining unmyelinated under the current conditions, this model represents a significant advancement in human myelin biology, offering a foundation for investigating fetal and perinatal brain injuries and related pathologies. Future refinements, such as improved myelination coverage and incorporating additional CNS cell types, will enhance its utility for studying disease mechanisms and enabling high-throughput drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsuyoshi Hiraiwa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shoko Yoshii
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Jiro Kawada
- Jiksak Bioengineering, Inc., Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tohru Sugawara
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Kawasaki
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Shibata
- Electron Microscope Laboratory, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Division of Microscopic Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Tomoko Shindo
- Electron Microscope Laboratory, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keiya Fujimori
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Akihiro Umezawa
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hidenori Akutsu
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
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2
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Al-Qadami G, Raposo A, Chien CC, Ma C, Priebe I, Hor M, Fung K. Intestinal organoid coculture systems: current approaches, challenges, and future directions. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2025; 328:G252-G276. [PMID: 39716040 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00203.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2024] [Revised: 12/12/2024] [Accepted: 12/12/2024] [Indexed: 12/25/2024]
Abstract
The intestinal microenvironment represents a complex and dynamic ecosystem, comprising a diverse range of epithelial and nonepithelial cells, a protective mucus layer, and a diverse community of gut microbiota. Understanding the intricate interplay between these components is essential for uncovering the mechanisms underlying intestinal health and disease. The development of intestinal organoids, three-dimensional (3-D) mini-intestines that closely mimic the architecture, cellular diversity, and functionality of the intestine, offers a powerful platform for investigating different aspects of intestinal physiology and pathology. However, current intestinal organoid models, mainly adult stem cell-derived organoids, lack the nonepithelial and microbial components of the intestinal microenvironment. As such, several coculture systems have been developed to coculture intestinal organoids with other intestinal elements including microbes (bacteria and viruses) and immune, stromal, and neural cells. These coculture models allow researchers to recreate the complex intestinal environment and study the intricate cross talk between different components of the intestinal ecosystem under healthy and pathological conditions. Currently, there are several approaches and methodologies to establish intestinal organoid cocultures, and each approach has its own strengths and limitations. This review discusses the existing methods for coculturing intestinal organoids with different intestinal elements, focusing on the methodological approaches, strengths and limitations, and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anita Raposo
- Health and Biosecurity, CSIRO, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Chia-Chi Chien
- Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, CSIRO, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chenkai Ma
- Health and Biosecurity, CSIRO, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ilka Priebe
- Health and Biosecurity, CSIRO, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Maryam Hor
- Health and Biosecurity, CSIRO, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Kim Fung
- Health and Biosecurity, CSIRO, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Tsukamoto M, Akutsu H. Comparative gastrointestinal organoid models across species: A Zoobiquity approach for precision medicine. Regen Ther 2025; 28:314-320. [PMID: 39885871 PMCID: PMC11779682 DOI: 10.1016/j.reth.2024.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2024] [Accepted: 12/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2025] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) health underpins systemic well-being, yet the complexity of gut physiology poses significant challenges to understanding disease mechanisms and developing effective, personalized therapies. Traditional models often fail to capture the intricate interplay between epithelial, mesenchymal, immune, and neuronal cells that govern gut homeostasis and disease. Over the past five years, advances in organoid technology have created physiologically relevant, three-dimensional GI models that replicate native tissue architecture and function. These models have revolutionized the study of autoimmune disorders, homeostatic dysfunction, and pathogen infections, such as norovirus and Salmonella, which affect millions of humans and animals globally. In this review, we explore how organoids, derived from intestinal and pluripotent stem cells, are transforming our understanding of GI development, disease etiology, and therapeutic innovation. Through the "Zoobiquity" paradigm and "One Health" framework, we highlight the integration of companion animal organoids, which provide invaluable insights into shared disease mechanisms and preclinical therapeutic development. Despite their promise, challenges remain in achieving organoid maturation, expanding immune and neuronal integration, and bridging the gap between organoid responses and in vivo outcomes. By refining these cutting-edge platforms, we can advance human and veterinary medicine alike, fostering a holistic approach to health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaya Tsukamoto
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
- Department of Advanced Pathobiology, Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Osaka Metropolitan University, Izumisano, Osaka 598-8531, Japan
| | - Hidenori Akutsu
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
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4
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Sugihara HY, Okamoto R, Mizutani T. Intestinal organoids: The path towards clinical application. Eur J Cell Biol 2025; 104:151474. [PMID: 39740324 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2024.151474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2024] [Revised: 11/14/2024] [Accepted: 11/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/02/2025] Open
Abstract
Organoids have revolutionized the whole field of biology with their ability to model complex three-dimensional human organs in vitro. Intestinal organoids were especially consequential as the first successful long-term culture of intestinal stem cells, which raised hopes for translational medical applications. Despite significant contributions to basic research, challenges remain to develop intestinal organoids into clinical tools for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy. In this review, we outline the current state of translational research involving adult stem cell and pluripotent stem cell derived intestinal organoids, highlighting the advances and limitations in disease modeling, drug-screening, personalized medicine, and stem cell therapy. Preclinical studies have demonstrated a remarkable functional recapitulation of infectious and genetic diseases, and there is mounting evidence for the reliability of intestinal organoids as a patient-specific avatar. Breakthroughs now allow the generation of structurally and cellularly complex intestinal models to better capture a wider range of intestinal pathophysiology. As the field develops and evolves, there is a need for standardized frameworks for generation, culture, storage, and analysis of intestinal organoids to ensure reproducibility, comparability, and interpretability of these preclinical and clinical studies to ultimately enable clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hady Yuki Sugihara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Institute of Science Tokyo, 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Ryuichi Okamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Institute of Science Tokyo, 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Mizutani
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Institute of Science Tokyo, 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan.
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Iwao T, Matsunaga T. Development of intestinal organoids and microphysiological systems and their application to drug discovery. Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2025; 60:101045. [PMID: 39847977 DOI: 10.1016/j.dmpk.2024.101045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2024] [Revised: 12/02/2024] [Accepted: 12/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2025]
Abstract
The intestines are an important organ with a variety of functions. For drug discovery research, experimental animals and Caco-2 cells derived from a human colon carcinoma may be used to evaluate the absorption and safety of orally administered drugs. These systems have issues, such as species differences with humans in experimental animals, variations in gene expression patterns, very low drug-metabolizing activities in Caco-2 cells, and the recent trend toward reduced animal testing. Thus, there is a need for new evaluation systems. Intestinal organoid technology and microphysiological systems (MPS) have attracted attention as novel evaluation systems for predicting drug disposition, safety, and efficacy in humans in vitro. Intestinal organoids are three-dimensional structures that contain a variety of intestinal cells. They also contain crypt-villus structures similar to those of living bodies. Using MPS, it is possible to improve the functionality of cells and evaluate the linkage and crosstalk between the intestine and the liver. These systems are expected to be powerful tools for drug discovery research to predict efficacy and toxicity in humans. This review outlines the current status of intestinal organoids and MPS studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Iwao
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Japan.
| | - Tamihide Matsunaga
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Japan.
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6
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Magness ST. Pioneering a New Frontier: Modeling the Epithelial-immune Cell Axis Using Human Intestinal Organoids. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2025; 19:101461. [PMID: 39864812 PMCID: PMC11954815 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2025.101461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/03/2025] [Indexed: 01/28/2025]
Affiliation(s)
- Scott T Magness
- Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
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7
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Tominaga K, Kechele DO, Sanchez JG, Vales S, Jurickova I, Roman L, Asai A, Enriquez JR, McCauley HA, Kishimoto K, Iwasawa K, Singh A, Horio Y, Múnera JO, Takebe T, Zorn AM, Helmrath MA, Denson LA, Wells JM. Deriving Human Intestinal Organoids with Functional Tissue-Resident Macrophages All From Pluripotent Stem Cells. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 19:101444. [PMID: 39701210 PMCID: PMC11847122 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2024.101444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 12/09/2024] [Accepted: 12/09/2024] [Indexed: 12/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Organs of the gastrointestinal tract contain tissue-resident immune cells that function during tissue development, homeostasis, and disease. However, most published human organoid model systems lack resident immune cells, thus limiting their potential as disease avatars. For example, human intestinal organoids (HIOs) derived from pluripotent stem cells contain epithelial and various mesenchymal cell types but lack immune cells. In this study, we aimed to develop an HIO model with functional tissue-resident macrophages. METHODS HIOs and macrophages were generated separately through the directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells and combined in vitro. Following 2 weeks of coculture, the organoids were used for transcriptional profiling, functional analysis of macrophages, or transplanted into immunocompromised mice and matured in vivo for an additional 10-12 weeks. RESULTS Macrophages were incorporated into developing HIOs and persisted for 2 weeks in vitro HIOs and for at least 12 weeks in HIOs in vivo. These cocultured macrophages had a transcriptional signature that resembled those in the human fetal intestine, indicating that they were acquiring the features of tissue-resident macrophages. HIO macrophages could phagocytose bacteria and produced inflammatory cytokines in response to proinflammatory signals, such as lipopolysaccharide, which could be reversed with interleukin-10. CONCLUSIONS We generated an HIO system containing functional tissue-resident macrophages for an extended period. This new organoid system can be used to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in inflammatory bowel disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Tominaga
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Daniel O Kechele
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - J Guillermo Sanchez
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Simon Vales
- Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Ingrid Jurickova
- Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Lizza Roman
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Akihiro Asai
- Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Jacob R Enriquez
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Heather A McCauley
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Keishi Kishimoto
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Kentaro Iwasawa
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Akaljot Singh
- Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Yuko Horio
- Translational Pulmonary Science Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Jorge O Múnera
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Takanori Takebe
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Aaron M Zorn
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Michael A Helmrath
- Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Lee A Denson
- Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - James M Wells
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; Division of Endocrinology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.
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8
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Khan AA, Taylor MC, Fortes Francisco A, Jayawardhana S, Atherton RL, Olmo F, Lewis MD, Kelly JM. Animal models for exploring Chagas disease pathogenesis and supporting drug discovery. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024; 37:e0015523. [PMID: 39545730 PMCID: PMC11629624 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00155-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYInfections with the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi cause Chagas disease, which results in serious cardiac and/or digestive pathology in 30%-40% of individuals. However, symptomatic disease can take decades to become apparent, and there is a broad spectrum of possible outcomes. The complex and long-term nature of this infection places a major constraint on the scope for experimental studies in humans. Accordingly, predictive animal models have been a mainstay of Chagas disease research. The resulting data have made major contributions to our understanding of parasite biology, immune responses, and disease pathogenesis and have provided a platform that informs and facilitates the global drug discovery effort. Here, we provide an overview of available animal models and illustrate how they have had a key impact across the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archie A. Khan
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Martin C. Taylor
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda Fortes Francisco
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shiromani Jayawardhana
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Richard L. Atherton
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Francisco Olmo
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael D. Lewis
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - John M. Kelly
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Uemura I, Takahashi-Suzuki N, Kita F, Satoh T. Establishment of an in-vitro inflammatory bowel disease model using immunological differentiation of Caco-2 cells. MethodsX 2024; 13:102952. [PMID: 39329151 PMCID: PMC11426153 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2024.102952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Studies on intestinal cell differentiation, particularly in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), have predominantly focused on the disruption of intestinal crypts and suppressive effects on the intestinal microbiota; however, repeated administration of DSS is required to induce inflammatory pathology, and there is a lack of observation of early responses and consideration of differentiation stages. Although colonic adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells can be used as intestinal cell models, research on these cells in an immature state is limited. We, therefore, investigated the relationship between Caco-2 cell culture duration and immunological differentiation using α-defensin5 (DEFA5) as an indicator of intestinal immunity and differentiation. Changes in protein and gene expression levels in response to DSS were examined at each differentiation stage. Expression of immune- and differentiation-related proteins, including DEFA5 and lysozyme, was evident from Day 8 of culture. Immune responses to DSS varied with the differentiation stage, affecting cell viability and cytokine expression.•Caco-2 cell culture duration correlates with the differentiation stage of Paneth cells.•DSS exposure elicits different effects depending on the differentiation stage.•Our in-vitro model of IBD facilitates the characterization of the cell differentiation process and provides a methodology to help elucidate the causal mechanisms of IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ippei Uemura
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University of Science, 7-Jo 15-4-1 Maeda, Teine-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 006-8585, Japan
| | - Natsuko Takahashi-Suzuki
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University of Science, 7-Jo 15-4-1 Maeda, Teine-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 006-8585, Japan
| | - Fumiya Kita
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University of Science, 7-Jo 15-4-1 Maeda, Teine-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 006-8585, Japan
| | - Takashi Satoh
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University of Science, 7-Jo 15-4-1 Maeda, Teine-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 006-8585, Japan
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10
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Kromann EH, Cearra AP, Neves JF. Organoids as a tool to study homeostatic and pathological immune-epithelial interactions in the gut. Clin Exp Immunol 2024; 218:28-39. [PMID: 38551817 PMCID: PMC11404120 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxad118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The intestine hosts the largest immune cell compartment in the body as a result of its continuous exposure to exogenous antigens. The intestinal barrier is formed by a single layer of epithelial cells which separate immune cells from the gut lumen. Bidirectional interactions between the epithelium and the immune compartment are critical for maintaining intestinal homeostasis by limiting infection, preventing excessive immune activation, and promoting tissue repair processes. However, our understanding of epithelial-immune interactions incomplete as the complexity of in vivo models can hinder mechanistic studies, cell culture models lack the cellular heterogeneity of the intestine and when established from primary cell can be difficult to maintain. In the last decade, organoids have emerged as a reliable model of the intestine, recapitulating key cellular and architectural features of native tissues. Herein, we provide an overview of how intestinal organoids are being co-cultured with immune cells leading to substantial advances in our understanding of immune-epithelial interactions in the gut. This has enabled new discoveries of the immune contribution to epithelial maintenance and regeneration both in homeostasis and in disease such as chronic inflammation, infection and cancer. Organoids can additionally be used to generate immune cells with a tissue-specific phenotype and to investigate the impact of disease associated risk genes on the intestinal immune environment. Accordingly, this review demonstrates the multitude of applications for intestinal organoids in immunological research and their potential for translational approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Højmose Kromann
- Centre for Host Microbiome Interactions, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ainize Peña Cearra
- Centre for Host Microbiome Interactions, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Bilbao, Spain
| | - Joana F Neves
- Centre for Host Microbiome Interactions, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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11
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Hentschel V, Govindarajan D, Seufferlein T, Armacki M. An Adaptable Protocol to Generate a Murine Enteroid-Macrophage Co-Culture System. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7944. [PMID: 39063188 PMCID: PMC11277128 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Impairment of the intestinal epithelial barrier is frequently seen as collateral damage in various local and systemic inflammatory conditions. The inflammatory process is characterized by reciprocal interactions between the host intestinal epithelium and mucosal innate immune cells, e.g., macrophages. This article provides step-by-step instructions on how to set up a murine enteroid-macrophage co-culture by culturing cellular elements in proximity separated by a porous membrane. Unlike previously published co-culture systems, we have combined enteroids grown from C57BL6j mice with syngeneic bone marrow-derived macrophages to preclude potential allo-reactions between immune cells and epithelium. Transformation of intestinal crypts into proliferative enteroids was achieved by cultivation in Wnt3a-Noggin-R-Spondin-conditioned medium supplemented with ROCK inhibitor Y-27632. The differentiated phenotype was promoted by the use of the Wnt3-deprived EGF-Noggin-R-Spondin medium. The resulting co-culture of primary cells can be employed as a basic model to better understand the reciprocal relationship between intestinal epithelium and macrophages. It can be used for in vitro modelling of mucosal inflammation, mimicked by stimulation of macrophages either while being in co-culture or before being introduced into co-culture, to simulate enterogenic sepsis or systemic conditions affecting the intestinal tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoria Hentschel
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, University Hospital Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany; (D.G.); (T.S.); (M.A.)
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12
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Liu J, Zhang B, Cui Y, Song H, Shang D. In vitro co-culture models for studying organoids-macrophages interaction: the golden technology of cancer immunotherapy. Am J Cancer Res 2024; 14:3222-3240. [PMID: 39113861 PMCID: PMC11301299 DOI: 10.62347/bqfh7352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Macrophages, as the largest immune cell group in tumour tissues, play a crucial role in influencing various malignant behaviours of tumour cells and tumour immune evasion. As the research on macrophages and cancer immunotherapy develops, the importance of appropriate research models becomes increasingly evident. The development of organoids has bridged the gap between traditional two-dimensional (2D) cultures and animal experiments. Recent studies have demonstrated that organoids exhibit similar physiological characteristics to the source tissue and closely resemble the in vivo genome and molecular markers of the source tissue or organ. However, organoids still lack an immune component. Developing a co-culture model of organoids and macrophages is crucial for studying the interaction and mechanisms between tumour cells and macrophages. This paper presents an overview of the establishment of co-culture models, the current research status of organoid macrophage interactions, and the current status of immunotherapy. In addition, the application prospects and shortcomings of the model are explained. Ultimately, it is hoped that the co-culture model will offer a preclinical testing platform for maximising a precise cancer immunotherapy strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinming Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDalian, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Biao Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDalian, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Yuying Cui
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDalian, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Huiyi Song
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDalian, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Dong Shang
- Department of General Surgery, Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDalian, Liaoning, PR China
- Institute (College) of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical UniversityDalian, Liaoning, PR China
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13
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Groen E, Mummery CL, Yiangou L, Davis RP. Three-dimensional cardiac models: a pre-clinical testing platform. Biochem Soc Trans 2024; 52:1045-1059. [PMID: 38778769 PMCID: PMC11346450 DOI: 10.1042/bst20230444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Major advancements in human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) technology over recent years have yielded valuable tools for cardiovascular research. Multi-cell type 3-dimensional (3D) cardiac models in particular, are providing complementary approaches to animal studies that are better representatives than simple 2-dimensional (2D) cultures of differentiated hPSCs. These human 3D cardiac models can be broadly divided into two categories; namely those generated through aggregating pre-differentiated cells and those that form self-organizing structures during their in vitro differentiation from hPSCs. These models can either replicate aspects of cardiac development or enable the examination of interactions among constituent cell types, with some of these models showing increased maturity compared with 2D systems. Both groups have already emerged as physiologically relevant pre-clinical platforms for studying heart disease mechanisms, exhibiting key functional attributes of the human heart. In this review, we describe the different cardiac organoid models derived from hPSCs, their generation methods, applications in cardiovascular disease research and use in drug screening. We also address their current limitations and challenges as pre-clinical testing platforms and propose potential improvements to enhance their efficacy in cardiac drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Groen
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Christine L. Mummery
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Loukia Yiangou
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Richard P. Davis
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC Leiden, The Netherlands
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14
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Song AT, Sindeaux RHM, Li Y, Affia H, Agnihotri T, Leclerc S, van Vliet PP, Colas M, Guimond JV, Patey N, Feulner L, Joyal JS, Haddad E, Barreiro L, Andelfinger G. Developmental role of macrophages modeled in human pluripotent stem cell-derived intestinal tissue. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113616. [PMID: 38150367 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophages populate the embryo early in gestation, but their role in development is not well defined. In particular, specification and function of macrophages in intestinal development remain little explored. To study this event in the human developmental context, we derived and combined human intestinal organoid and macrophages from pluripotent stem cells. Macrophages migrate into the organoid, proliferate, and occupy the emerging microanatomical niches of epithelial crypts and ganglia. They also acquire a transcriptomic profile similar to that of fetal intestinal macrophages and display tissue macrophage behaviors, such as recruitment to tissue injury. Using this model, we show that macrophages reduce glycolysis in mesenchymal cells and limit tissue growth without affecting tissue architecture, in contrast to the pro-growth effect of enteric neurons. In short, we engineered an intestinal tissue model populated with macrophages, and we suggest that resident macrophages contribute to the regulation of metabolism and growth of the developing intestine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew T Song
- Centre de Recherche, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.
| | - Renata H M Sindeaux
- Centre de Recherche, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, QC, Canada; Meakins Christie Laboratories, Department of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Yuanyi Li
- Centre de Recherche, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Hicham Affia
- Centre de Recherche, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Tapan Agnihotri
- Centre de Recherche, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | | | | | - Mathieu Colas
- Centre de Recherche, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Jean-Victor Guimond
- CLSC des Faubourgs, CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Ile-de-Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Natalie Patey
- Department of Pathology, CHU Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Lara Feulner
- Centre de Recherche, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Jean-Sebastien Joyal
- Centre de Recherche, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, QC, Canada; Département de Pédiatrie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Elie Haddad
- Centre de Recherche, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, QC, Canada; Département de Pédiatrie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Luis Barreiro
- Centre de Recherche, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, QC, Canada; Genetics Genomics and Systems Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Gregor Andelfinger
- Centre de Recherche, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Département de Pédiatrie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
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15
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Kolev HM, Kaestner KH. Mammalian Intestinal Development and Differentiation-The State of the Art. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 16:809-821. [PMID: 37507088 PMCID: PMC10520362 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
The development of the mammalian intestine, from its earliest origins as a morphologically uniform sheet of endoderm cells during gastrulation into the complex organ system that is essential for the life of the organism, is a truly fascinating process. During midgestation development, reciprocal interactions between endoderm-derived epithelium and mesoderm-derived mesenchyme enable villification, or the conversion of a radially symmetric pseudostratified epithelium into the functional subdivision of crypts and villi. Once a mature crypt-villus axis is established, proliferation and differentiation of new epithelial cells continue throughout life. Spatially localized signals including the wingless and Int-1, fibroblast growth factor, and Hippo systems, among others, ensure that new cells are being born continuously in the crypt. As cells exit the crypt compartment, a gradient of bone morphogenetic protein signaling limits proliferation to allow for the specification of multiple mature cell types. The first major differentiation decision is dependent on Notch signaling, which specifies epithelial cells into absorptive and secretory lineages. The secretory lineage is subdivided further into Paneth, goblet, tuft, and enteroendocrine cells via a complex network of transcription factors. Although some of the signaling molecules are produced by epithelial cells, critical components are derived from specialized crypt-adjacent mesenchymal cells termed telocytes, which are marked by Forkhead box l1, GLI Family Zinc Finger 1, and platelet-derived growth factor receptor α. The crucial nature of these processes is evidenced by the multitude of intestinal disorders such as colorectal cancer, short-bowel syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease, which all reflect perturbations of the development and/or differentiation of the intestine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M Kolev
- Department of Genetics and Center for Molecular Studies in Digestive and Liver Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Klaus H Kaestner
- Department of Genetics and Center for Molecular Studies in Digestive and Liver Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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