Organogenesis in a dish: Modeling development and disease using organoid technologies

Abstract

Classical experiments performed half a century ago demonstrated the immense self-organizing capacity of vertebrate cells. Even after complete dissociation, cells can reaggregate and reconstruct the original architecture of an organ. More recently, this outstanding feature was used to rebuild organ parts or even complete organs from tissue or embryonic stem cells. Such stem cell-derived three-dimensional cultures are called organoids. Because organoids can be grown from human stem cells and from patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells, they have the potential to model human development and disease. Furthermore, they have potential for drug testing and even future organ replacement strategies. Here, we summarize this rapidly evolving field and outline the potential of organoid technology for future biomedical research.

Exosomes as secondary inductive signals involved in kidney organogenesis

“…Renal vesicles elongate to form comma- and S-shaped bodies that will generate the filtering unit, with the glomerulus at the proximal end, and connect with the collecting duct (derived from the UB origin) at the distal end [4,16,17]. The organoids are known as cellular aggregates containing more than one cell type typical for the organ they replicate [18]. Such organoids have successfully been constructed with the use of primary kidney cells [19–21].…”

Translational potential of human brain organoids

“…1). 6, 7 They contain multiple organ‐specific cell types that are spatially configured and connected in a manner reminiscent of their in vivo counterparts. Importantly, organoids are capable of exhibiting key physiological functions of the organs, making them attractive as the next‐generation ex vivo model for disease studies and drug screenings 5…”

Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells for the Treatment of Cancer and the Future of Preclinical Models for Predicting their Toxicities

“…Organoids can be derived from stem cells and exploit their intrinsic biological capability of self-organisation [31]. The cells are able to organise themselves between each other and also within the tissue which allows the development of a mini-organ reflecting the structure and functional properties of organs such as brain, lung or intestine [32]. In addition, organoids can also be generated from human cancer specimens like glioblastomas, colorectal tumours and pancreatic cancer and can recreate the histopathology seen in the primary tumour [33][34][35][36].…”