In vitro models to study human gut-microbiota interactions: Applications, advances, and limitations

Yuli Qi; Leilei Yu; Fengwei Tian; Jianxin Zhao; Qixiao Zhai

doi:10.1016/j.micres.2023.127336

In vitro models to study human gut-microbiota interactions: Applications, advances, and limitations

Microbiol Res. 2023 May:270:127336. doi: 10.1016/j.micres.2023.127336. Epub 2023 Feb 16.

Authors

Yuli Qi¹, Leilei Yu¹, Fengwei Tian¹, Jianxin Zhao¹, Qixiao Zhai²

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, China.
² State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, China. Electronic address: zhaiqixiao@sina.com.

PMID: 36871313
DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2023.127336

Abstract

In vitro models of the human gut help compensate for the limitations of animal models in studying the human gut-microbiota interaction and are indispensable in the clarification the mechanism of microbial action or in the high-throughput screening and functional evaluation of probiotics. The development of these models constitutes a rapidly developing field of research. From 2D¹ to 3D² and from simple to complex, several in vitro cell and tissue models have been developed and continuously improved. In this review, we categorized and summarized these models and described their development, applications, advances, and limitations by using specific examples. We also highlighted the best ways to select an appropriate in vitro model, and we also discussed which variables to consider when imitating microbial and human gut epithelial interactions.

Keywords: Bioengineering; Human gut; In vitro model; Interaction; Microbiota.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
Humans
Models, Animal
Probiotics*