Reshaping Intercellular Interactions: Empowering the Exploration of Disease Mechanisms and Therapies Using Organoid Co-Culture Models

doi:10.12300/j.issn.1674-5817.2024.164

Abstract

Abstract:

The organoid co-culture model, as a novel tool for recreating a three-dimensional microenvironment to study cell-cell interactions, has demonstrated significant application potential in biomedical research in recent years. By simulating the in vivo tissue microenvironment, this model provides a more precise experimental platform for investigating complex cellular interactions, particularly in areas such as tumor immune evasion mechanisms, drug sensitivity testing, and the pathological characterization of neurodegenerative diseases, where it has demonstrated significant value. However, the organoid co-culture model still faces several challenges in terms of standardized procedures, large-scale cultivation, ethical guidelines, and future development. In particular, in the field of laboratory animal science, how to effectively combine organoids with traditional animal models, and how to select the most appropriate model for different research needs while exploring its potential for replacement, remain pressing issues. In the context of ethical approval and the replacement of animal experiments, the organoid co-culture model offers an experimental approach that better aligns with the "3R" principle (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement), potentially becoming an important tool for replacing traditional animal models. To this end, this paper reviews the latest advances and key challenges in this field, providing a detailed description of the construction methods for organoid co-culture models and discussing their applications in disease mechanism research and drug screening. The paper also systematically compares the organoid co-culture models with traditional animal models, exploring the criteria for selecting the appropriate model for specific applications. Furthermore, this paper discusses the potential value of organoid co-culture models as alternatives to animal experiments and anticipates future development trends of this technology. Through these discussions, the paper aims to promote the innovation and development of organoid co-culture technology and provide new perspectives and scientific evidence for future research.

Key words: Intercellular interactions, Organoids, Co-culture, Laboratory animals

CLC Number:

R-332

TAN Dengxu,MA Yifan,LIU Ke,et al. Reshaping Intercellular Interactions: Empowering the Exploration of Disease Mechanisms and Therapies Using Organoid Co-Culture Models[J]. Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine, 2025, 45(3): 309-317. DOI: 10.12300/j.issn.1674-5817.2024.164.

Figures/Tables 3

References 40

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比较维度 Comparison dimension	类器官共培养模型 Organoid co-culture model	实验动物模型 Laboratory animal model
复杂性 Complexity	低：可控的细胞组成和环境	高：系统的生物复杂性
伦理问题 Ethical issues	较少：不涉及活体动物	较多：动物实验伦理问题
时间成本 Time cost	较短：快速获取结果	较长：动物的生长与繁殖
生理相关性 Physiological relevance	较低：缺乏全身系统	高：能反映全身生理状态
研究范围 Scope of research	细胞和局部微环境的研究	全身生理和行为的研究
疾病建模 Disease modeling	对人类特异性疾病建模具有高度准确性	受物种差异限制
药物测试 Drug testing	精确测试人类特异性的药物反应；高通量	全身药代动力学数据

比较维度 Comparison dimension	类器官共培养模型 Organoid co-culture model	实验动物模型 Laboratory animal model
复杂性 Complexity	低：可控的细胞组成和环境	高：系统的生物复杂性
伦理问题 Ethical issues	较少：不涉及活体动物	较多：动物实验伦理问题
时间成本 Time cost	较短：快速获取结果	较长：动物的生长与繁殖
生理相关性 Physiological relevance	较低：缺乏全身系统	高：能反映全身生理状态
研究范围 Scope of research	细胞和局部微环境的研究	全身生理和行为的研究
疾病建模 Disease modeling	对人类特异性疾病建模具有高度准确性	受物种差异限制
药物测试 Drug testing	精确测试人类特异性的药物反应；高通量	全身药代动力学数据