Human lung organoid: Models for respiratory biology and diseases

Wenhao Yang; Yingna Li; Fang Shi; Hanmin Liu

doi:10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.12.001

Human lung organoid: Models for respiratory biology and diseases

Dev Biol. 2023 Feb:494:26-34. doi: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.12.001. Epub 2022 Dec 5.

Authors

Wenhao Yang¹, Yingna Li¹, Fang Shi², Hanmin Liu³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Immunology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; The Joint Laboratory for Lung Development and Related Diseases of West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University and School of Life Sciences of Fudan University, West China Institute of Women and Children's Health, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Sichuan Birth Defects Clinical Research Center, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
² Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Immunology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; The Joint Laboratory for Lung Development and Related Diseases of West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University and School of Life Sciences of Fudan University, West China Institute of Women and Children's Health, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Sichuan Birth Defects Clinical Research Center, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China. Electronic address: shi-fang1213@163.com.
³ Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Immunology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; The Joint Laboratory for Lung Development and Related Diseases of West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University and School of Life Sciences of Fudan University, West China Institute of Women and Children's Health, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Sichuan Birth Defects Clinical Research Center, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China. Electronic address: Liuhm@scu.edu.cn.

PMID: 36470449
DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.12.001

Abstract

The human respiratory system, consisting of the airway and alveoli, is one of the most complex organs directly interfaced with the external environment. The diverse epithelial cells lining the surface are usually the first cell barrier that comes into contact with pathogens that could lead to deadly pulmonary disease. There is an urgent need to understand the mechanisms of self-renewal and protection of these epithelial cells against harmful pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2. Traditional models, including cell lines and mouse models, have extremely limited native phenotypic features. Therefore, in recent years, to mimic the complexity of the lung, airway and alveoli organoid technology has been developed and widely applied. TGF-β/BMP/SMAD, FGF and Wnt/β-catenin signaling have been proven to play a key role in lung organoid expansion and differentiation. Thus, we summarize the current novel lung organoid culture strategies and discuss their application for understanding the lung biological features and pathophysiology of pulmonary diseases, especially COVID-19. Lung organoids provide an excellent in vitro model and research platform.

Keywords: In vitro model; Lung organoid; Lung stem cell; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Biology
COVID-19* / metabolism
Humans
Lung
Mice
Organoids / metabolism
SARS-CoV-2