iPSC- and patient- derived intestinal organoids for gastrointestinal research

Intestinal organoids are self-organizing, 3D structures derived from either pluripotent stem cells or from primary tissues with the abiltiy to recapitulate some of the spatial architecture and in vivo function of the organ.  They are increasingly used to model intestinal development and diseases including cancer, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel diseases and host microbiome interactions. In this recent pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, studies have shown that this virus can also infect the gut epithelial cells that express ACE2 and TMPRSS2 receptors. Our patient-derived duodenum organoids express both of these markers.  Thus, intestinal organoid models can be a useful tool for researchers studying the basic biology of SARS-CoV-2 and other coronavirses. In this webinar, we describe two model systems for gastrointestinal research: 1) 3dGRO™ Human iPSC Derived Colon Organoids are derived from integration-free human iPS cells that were differentiated in a multi-step process to colon organoids. The organoids express colon-specific markers, can be propagated long-term and functionally swells in response to forskolin. 2) Gastrointestinal Organoid Biobank was developed by researchers at the University of Michigan Center for Gastrointestinal Research (UMCGR). The biobank contains over 50 highly characterized intestinal organoids from both normal and diseased patients derived from multiple regions of the digestive systems including small intestine (duodenum, ileum), stomach, rectum and colon. RNA-Seq data are available for both model systems

Learning Objectives:

1. How to differentiate human iPSC to colon organoids

2. How to culture and maintain intestinal organoids

3. How to use intestinal organoids in a screening or functional assay