Modelling intestinal inflammation and infection using 'mini-gut' organoids

In 2020, major advances to the understanding of gastrointestinal inflammatory and infectious disease have been made using 'mini-gut' organoids. Key findings include the discovery of somatic inflammatory gene mutations in ulcerative colitis epithelium, a unique mutational signature in colorectal cancer caused by genotoxic Escherichia coli, and infection of intestinal organoids by SARS-CoV-2. Key advances Evolution of somatic inflammatory gene mutations targeting IL-17 signalling occurs during chronic tissue inflammation in patients with ulcerative colitis3. A distinct mutational signature caused by exposure to genotoxic colibactin-producing + is found in a subset of colorectal cancers5. pksEscherichia coliActive SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication is possible in human and bat intestinal organoids7.

Automated summary

In 2020, major progress has been made in understanding gastrointestinal inflammatory and infectious diseases through the use of 'mini-gut' organoids, including the discovery of somatic inflammatory gene mutations in ulcerative colitis epithelium, a unique mutational signature in colorectal cancer caused by genotoxic Escherichia coli, and the infection of intestinal organoids by SARS-CoV-2.