Organoids of the Female Reproductive Tract: Innovative Tools to Study Desired to Unwelcome Processes

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology

Ziga Jan²  Dirk Timmerman³  Ruben Heremans³  Hugo Vankelecom⁴ 

[1] Cluster Woman and Child, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium;Department of Gynecology, Klinikum Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt, Austria;Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium;Laboratory of Tissue Plasticity in Health and Disease, Cluster of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium;

关键词: organoids;    gynecology;    reproduction;    cancer modeling;    women’s health;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fcell.2021.661472

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The pelviperineal organs of the female reproductive tract form an essential cornerstone of human procreation. The system comprises the ectodermal external genitalia, the Müllerian upper-vaginal, cervical, endometrial and oviductal derivatives, and the endodermal ovaries. Each of these organs presents with a unique course of biological development as well as of malignant degeneration. For many decades, various preclinical in vitro models have been employed to study female reproductive organ (patho-)biology, however, facing important shortcomings of limited expandability, loss of representativeness and inadequate translatability to the clinic. The recent emergence of 3D organoid models has propelled the field forward by generating powerful research tools that in vitro replicate healthy as well as diseased human tissues and are amenable to state-of-the-art experimental interventions. Here, we in detail review organoid modeling of the different female reproductive organs from healthy and tumorigenic backgrounds, and project perspectives for both scientists and clinicians.

【 授权许可】

Unknown