The interaction between human intestinal organoids and the gut microbiota

Abstract

[eng] Background: Ever-increasing interest and research lead to discoveries of interactions between the intestinal tract with its vast and complex microflora and its impact on bodily functioning through signaling pathways and metabolites. Due to the impact of microbiota on human health, research companies are highly interested in its study. However, in vivo research on health implications of human microbiota can present difficulties, therefore, alternatives, like the generation of in vitro models of human organoids from different human tissues, that can act as imitations for the interactions between those and the microbiota, are of special relevance. Organoids are three-dimensional organs, grown in vitro from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) or generated from primary tissues. They can be helpful in closely recapitulating the polarized intestinal epithelial layer and its basic functions. The utilization of human intestinal organoids to study the cross-talk between the microbiome and the gastrointestinal tract provides a better understanding of pathologies, inflammation processes, and prevention and treatment developments. Eurecat is an innovative technology center developing research projects dealing with food, nutrition and health. In the company, they are interested in obtaining more information on organoids and their applicability. Objectives: The aim of this master work, performed as part of the master collaboration with Eurecat, was to identify and compare systematically available literature and reported outcomes on studies related to the interaction between human intestinal organoids and the gut microbiota. Additionally, gaining knowledge about all components involved in the research topic, such as the generation of organoids, the intestinal epithelium's functionality, and information about the microbiome, was of uttermost importance and support for understanding. Method: Literature searches were conducted using online databases (PubMed and Google Scholar), in addition to relevant webinars. Results and Conclusions: The existing studies on the generation of human intestinal organoids prove their efficiency in interacting with the gut microbiota and mimicking diseases, as well as adapting to the in vitro environment. 3D human intestinal organoids have a prosperous future for translation medicine, drug discovery, as well as further research about the interactions between the gut microbiota when generated with co-cultures for maximum recapitulation of in vivo organs.