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Parente IA, Chiara L, Bertoni S. Exploring the potential of human intestinal organoids: Applications, challenges, and future directions. Life Sci 2024; 352:122875. [PMID: 38942359 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122875] [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: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
The complex and dynamic environment of the gastrointestinal tract shapes one of the fastest renewing tissues in the human body, the intestinal epithelium. Considering the lack of human preclinical studies, reliable models that mimic the intestinal environment are increasingly explored. Patient-derived intestinal organoids are powerful tools that recapitulate in vitro many pathophysiological features of the human intestine. In this review, the possible applications of human intestinal organoids in different research fields are highlighted. From physiologically relevant to intestinal disease modeling, regenerative medicine, and toxicology studies, the potential of intestinal organoids will be here presented and discussed. Despite the remarkable opportunities offered, limitations related to ethical concerns, tissue collection, reproducibility, and methodologies may hinder the full exploitation of this cell-based model into high throughput studies and clinical practice. Currently, distinct approaches can be used to overcome the numerous challenges found along the way and to allow the full implementation of this ground-breaking technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês A Parente
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Linda Chiara
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Simona Bertoni
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
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Zhang Q, Dunbar KB, Odze RD, Agoston AT, Wang X, Su T, Nguyen AD, Zhang X, Spechler SJ, Souza RF. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α mediates reflux-induced epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity in Barrett's oesophagus patients. Gut 2024; 73:1269-1279. [PMID: 38641363 PMCID: PMC11239289 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2023-331467] [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: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity (EMP), the process through which epithelial cells acquire mesenchymal features, is needed for wound repair but also might contribute to cancer initiation. Earlier, in vitro studies showed that Barrett's cells exposed to acidic bile salt solutions (ABS) develop EMP. Now, we have (1) induced reflux oesophagitis in Barrett's oesophagus (BO) patients by stopping proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), (2) assessed their biopsies for EMP and (3) explored molecular pathways underlying reflux-induced EMP in BO cells and spheroids. METHODS 15 BO patients had endoscopy with biopsies of Barrett's metaplasia while on PPIs, and 1 and 2 weeks after stopping PPIs; RNA-seq data were assessed for enrichments in hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), angiogenesis and EMP pathways. In BO biopsies, cell lines and spheroids, EMP features (motility) and markers (vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), ZEB1, miR-200a&b) were evaluated by morphology, migration assays, immunostaining and qPCR; HIF-1α was knocked down with siRNA or shRNA. RESULTS At 1 and/or 2 weeks off PPIs, BO biopsies exhibited EMP features and markers, with significant enrichment for HIF-1α, angiogenesis and EMP pathways. In BO cells, ABS induced HIF-1α activation, which decreased miR-200a&b while increasing VEGF, ZEB1 and motility; HIF-1α knockdown blocked these effects. After ABS treatment, BO spheroids exhibited migratory protrusions showing nuclear HIF-1α, increased VEGF and decreased miR-200a&b. CONCLUSIONS In BO patients, reflux oesophagitis induces EMP changes associated with increased HIF-1α signalling in Barrett's metaplasia. In Barrett's cells, ABS trigger EMP via HIF-1α signalling. Thus, HIF-1α appears to play a key role in mediating reflux-induced EMP that might contribute to cancer in BO. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT02579460.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyang Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Center for Esophageal Research, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Kerry B Dunbar
- Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Internal Medicine, VA North Texas Health Care System, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Robert D Odze
- Department of Pathology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Robert D Odze Pathology, LLC, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Agoston T Agoston
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Womens Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Xuan Wang
- Biostatistics Core, Baylor Scott & White Research Insitute, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Tianhong Su
- Department of Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Anh D Nguyen
- Department of Medicine, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Center for Esophageal Research, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Xi Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Center for Esophageal Research, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Stuart Jon Spechler
- Department of Medicine, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Center for Esophageal Research, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Rhonda F Souza
- Department of Medicine, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Center for Esophageal Research, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, Dallas, Texas, USA
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Jin H, Xue Z, Liu J, Ma B, Yang J, Lei L. Advancing Organoid Engineering for Tissue Regeneration and Biofunctional Reconstruction. Biomater Res 2024; 28:0016. [PMID: 38628309 PMCID: PMC11018530 DOI: 10.34133/bmr.0016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Tissue damage and functional abnormalities in organs have become a considerable clinical challenge. Organoids are often applied as disease models and in drug discovery and screening. Indeed, several studies have shown that organoids are an important strategy for achieving tissue repair and biofunction reconstruction. In contrast to established stem cell therapies, organoids have high clinical relevance. However, conventional approaches have limited the application of organoids in clinical regenerative medicine. Engineered organoids might have the capacity to overcome these challenges. Bioengineering-a multidisciplinary field that applies engineering principles to biomedicine-has bridged the gap between engineering and medicine to promote human health. More specifically, bioengineering principles have been applied to organoids to accelerate their clinical translation. In this review, beginning with the basic concepts of organoids, we describe strategies for cultivating engineered organoids and discuss the multiple engineering modes to create conditions for breakthroughs in organoid research. Subsequently, studies on the application of engineered organoids in biofunction reconstruction and tissue repair are presented. Finally, we highlight the limitations and challenges hindering the utilization of engineered organoids in clinical applications. Future research will focus on cultivating engineered organoids using advanced bioengineering tools for personalized tissue repair and biofunction reconstruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hairong Jin
- Institute of Translational Medicine,
Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou 310015, China
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325200, China
- Ningxia Medical University, Ningxia 750004, China
| | - Zengqi Xue
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325200, China
| | - Jinnv Liu
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325200, China
| | - Binbin Ma
- Department of Biology,
The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Jianfeng Yang
- Institute of Translational Medicine,
Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou 310015, China
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325200, China
| | - Lanjie Lei
- Institute of Translational Medicine,
Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou 310015, China
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Fujii M, Sekine S, Sato T. Decoding the basis of histological variation in human cancer. Nat Rev Cancer 2024; 24:141-158. [PMID: 38135758 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00648-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Molecular abnormalities that shape human neoplasms dissociate their phenotypic landscape from that of the healthy counterpart. Through the lens of a microscope, tumour pathology optically captures such aberrations projected onto a tissue slide and has categorized human epithelial neoplasms into distinct histological subtypes based on the diverse morphogenetic and molecular programmes that they manifest. Tumour histology often reflects tumour aggressiveness, patient prognosis and therapeutic vulnerability, and thus has been used as a de facto diagnostic tool and for making clinical decisions. However, it remains elusive how the diverse histological subtypes arise and translate into pleiotropic biological phenotypes. Molecular analysis of clinical tumour tissues and their culture, including patient-derived organoids, and add-back genetic reconstruction of tumorigenic pathways using gene engineering in culture models and rodents further elucidated molecular mechanisms that underlie morphological variations. Such mechanisms include genetic mutations and epigenetic alterations in cellular identity codes that erode hard-wired morphological programmes and histologically digress tumours from the native tissues. Interestingly, tumours acquire the ability to grow independently of the niche-driven stem cell ecosystem along with these morphological alterations, providing a biological rationale for histological diversification during tumorigenesis. This Review comprehensively summarizes our current understanding of such plasticity in the histological and lineage commitment fostered cooperatively by molecular alterations and the tumour environment, and describes basic and clinical implications for future cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki Fujii
- Department of Integrated Medicine and Biochemistry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Shigeki Sekine
- Division of Pathology and Clinical Laboratories, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshiro Sato
- Department of Integrated Medicine and Biochemistry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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Samaddar S, Buckles D, Saha S, Zhang Q, Bansal A. Translating Molecular Biology Discoveries to Develop Targeted Cancer Interception in Barrett's Esophagus. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11318. [PMID: 37511077 PMCID: PMC10379200 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411318] [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: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is a rapidly increasing lethal tumor. It commonly arises from a metaplastic segment known as Barrett's esophagus (BE), which delineates the at-risk population. Ample research has elucidated the pathogenesis of BE and its progression from metaplasia to invasive carcinoma; and multiple molecular pathways have been implicated in this process, presenting several points of cancer interception. Here, we explore the mechanisms of action of various agents, including proton pump inhibitors, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, metformin, and statins, and explain their roles in cancer interception. Data from the recent AspECT trial are discussed to determine how viable a multipronged approach to cancer chemoprevention would be. Further, novel concepts, such as the repurposing of chemotherapeutic drugs like dasatinib and the prevention of post-ablation BE recurrence using itraconazole, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohini Samaddar
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Daniel Buckles
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Souvik Saha
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Qiuyang Zhang
- Center for Esophageal Diseases, Department of Medicine, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75246, USA
- Center for Esophageal Research, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, Dallas, TX 75246, USA
| | - Ajay Bansal
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
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Novelli G, Spitalieri P, Murdocca M, Centanini E, Sangiuolo F. Organoid factory: The recent role of the human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) in precision medicine. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 10:1059579. [PMID: 36699015 PMCID: PMC9869172 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1059579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
During the last decades, hiPSC-derived organoids have been extensively studied and used as in vitro models for several applications among which research studies. They can be considered as organ and tissue prototypes, especially for those difficult to obtain. Moreover, several diseases can be accurately modeled and studied. Hence, patient-derived organoids (PDOs) can be used to predict individual drug responses, thus paving the way toward personalized medicine. Lastly, by applying tissue engineering and 3D printing techniques, organoids could be used in the future to replace or regenerate damaged tissue. In this review, we will focus on hiPSC-derived 3D cultures and their ability to model human diseases with an in-depth analysis of gene editing applications, as well as tumor models. Furthermore, we will highlight the state-of-the-art of organoid facilities that around the world offer know-how and services. This is an increasing trend that shed the light on the need of bridging the publicand the private sector. Hence, in the context of drug discovery, Organoid Factories can offer biobanks of validated 3D organoid models that can be used in collaboration with pharmaceutical companies to speed up the drug screening process. Finally, we will discuss the limitations and the future development that will lead hiPSC-derived technology from bench to bedside, toward personalized medicine, such as maturity, organoid interconnections, costs, reproducibility and standardization, and ethics. hiPSC-derived organoid technology is now passing from a proof-of-principle to real applications in the clinic, also thanks to the applicability of techniques, such as CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system, material engineering for the scaffolds, or microfluidic systems. The benefits will have a crucial role in the advance of both basic biological and translational research, particularly in the pharmacological field and drug development. In fact, in the near future, 3D organoids will guide the clinical decision-making process, having validated patient-specific drug screening platforms. This is particularly important in the context of rare genetic diseases or when testing cancer treatments that could in principle have severe side effects. Therefore, this technology has enabled the advancement of personalized medicine in a way never seen before.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Novelli
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS, Italy
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, United States
| | - Paola Spitalieri
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Murdocca
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Centanini
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Federica Sangiuolo
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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