Using Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Organoids to Identify New Pathologies in Patients With PDX1 Mutations

Abstract

Background & aims: Two patients with homozygous mutations in PDX1 presented with pancreatic agenesis, chronic diarrhea, and poor weight gain, the causes of which were not identified through routine clinical testing. We aimed to perform a deep analysis of the stomach and intestine using organoids derived from induced pluripotent stem cells from PDX1^{188delC/188delC} patients.

Methods: Gastric fundic, antral, and duodenal organoids were generated using induced pluripotent stem cell lines from a PDX1^{188delC/188delC} patient and an isogenic induced pluripotent stem cell line where the PDX1 point mutation was corrected.

Results: Patient-derived PDX1^{188delC/188delC} antral organoids exhibited an intestinal phenotype, whereas intestinal organoids underwent gastric metaplasia with significant reduction in enteroendocrine cells. This prompted a re-examination of gastric and intestinal biopsy specimens from both PDX1^{188delC/188delC} patients, which recapitulated the organoid phenotypes. Moreover, antral biopsy specimens also showed increased parietal cells and lacked G cells, suggesting loss of antral identity. All organoid pathologies were reversed upon CRISPR-mediated correction of the mutation.

Conclusions: These patients will now be monitored for the progression of metaplasia and gastrointestinal complications that might be related to the reduced gastric and intestinal endocrine cells. This study demonstrates the utility of organoids in diagnosing uncovered pathologies.

Keywords: CRISPR/Cas9; Metaplasia; Organoids; PDX1.