Organoids, smallest organ-like systems, derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells are currently state-of-the-art in vitro research. They are composed of important organ cells
but so far, organ stroma (supporting tissue), blood vessels and immune cells have been missing to be called mini organs.

In order to promote this cell development, scientists led by Dr. Philipp Wörsdörfer and Prof. Suleyman Ergün have created a new cell culture development program in which initially induced pluripotent stem cells were further developed into mesodermal precursor cells. These mesodermal progenitor cells have the potential to differentiate into vascular, immune and connective tissue cells. The resulting cells were then mixed with tumor cells and also with brain stem cells, which in turn had previously been generated from human iPS cells. From these mixtures, the researchers were able to produce the desired complex three-dimensional tumor or brain organoids with functional blood vessels, connective tissue parts and, in the case of brain tissue, also brain-specific immune cells, so-called microglia cells.

The new, more complete organoids are far better suited to study embryonal developments, diseases or to test drugs.

The scientists have published their findings in the journal Scientific Reports:
Wörsdörfer, P., Dalda, N., Kern, A, Krüger, S., Kwok, C.K., Wagner, N., Henke, E., Ergün, S., N., Dalda (2019). Generation of complex human organoid models including vascular networks by incorporation of mesodermal progenitor cells. Sci Rep 9, 15663. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-52204-7

Source:
https://www.uni-wuerzburg.de/aktuelles/einblick/single/news/komplexe-organmodelle-aus-dem-labor-1/