Studying SARS-CoV-2 Infectivity and Therapeutic Responses with Complex Organoids
August 2021
in “
Nature Cell Biology
”
Studysummary This review discusses the potential of organoids in modeling COVID-19 disease and developing therapies, without reporting new results, and highlights opportunities and challenges in their application for research.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
The review discussed the use of complex organoids, derived from human pluripotent and adult stem cells, to study SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and therapeutic responses. It highlighted the potential of organoids in modeling COVID-19 pathology and aiding drug, antibody, and vaccine development, despite the absence of specific antiviral drugs at the time. Lung organoids were particularly emphasized for their relevance in respiratory infections, and the review noted the potential of remdesivir in reducing viral gene expression. However, organoid models faced challenges such as genomic instability and limited self-renewal capacity. The document concluded with the potential for using organoid-derived lung epithelial cells in regenerative therapies for COVID-19 patients with severe epithelial injury, while also emphasizing the need to integrate genetic and demographic factors into SARS-CoV-2 assays to improve drug screening and predict therapeutic outcomes.
