Advancement of Intestinal Organoids and Their Applications in Disease Research
YANG Fenfang, MENG Yajun, PANG Kaixin, LIU Boxin, LI Fengyuan, HE Guiwei*
The intestine serves dual critical functions in digestion/absorption and mucosal immunity, with its dysfunction implicated in major diseases including CRC (colorectal cancer), infectious diseases, and IBD (inflammatory bowel disease). Traditional 2D (two-dimensional) cell cultures often fail to accurately recapitulate the complex architecture and dynamic physiological and pathological processes of the human intestine. Intestinal organoid technology employs 3D (three-dimensional) culture of primary intestinal cells or PSCs (pluripotent stem cells) to generate miniature organs that highly recapitulate the structure, function, and cell types of the intestinal epithelium, while maintaining the operational flexibility of traditional cell culture. Since the first mouse model was established in 2009, this technology has enabled the establishment of human-derived organoids, optimized culture systems, and integration with techniques such as microfluidic chips, evolving into a vital platform for disease modeling and drug development. However, current intestinal organoids still face challenges including insufficient cell type and functional completeness, limitations in simulating the in vivo microenvironment, and difficulties in establishing multi-lineage co-culture platforms. In the future, breakthroughs may be achieved by integrating interdisciplinary technologies such as materials science and bioengineering. With technological advancements, intestinal organoids are expected to play a central role in disease mechanism elucidation, personalized medicine, and regenerative medicine, providing innovative strategies for research into intestinal health.
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