iPSC-derived models for anorexia nervosa research

Trends Mol Med. 2024 Apr;30(4):339-349. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2024.02.006. Epub 2024 Mar 12.

Abstract

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder with genetic and epigenetic components that results in reduced food intake combined with alterations in the reward-processing network. While studies of patient cohorts and mouse models have uncovered genes and epigenetic changes associated with the disease, neuronal networks and brain areas preferentially activated and metabolic changes associated with reduced food intake, the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms remain unknown. The use of both 2D in vitro cultures and 3D models, namely organoids and spheroids, derived from either human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), would allow identification of cell type-specific changes associated with AN and comorbid diseases, to study preferential connections between brain areas and organs, and the development of therapeutic strategies.

Keywords: anorexia nervosa; assembloids; iPSC-derived models; organoids.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anorexia Nervosa* / metabolism
  • Brain
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells*
  • Mice
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Organoids