A bioengineering perspective on modelling the intestinal epithelial physiology in vitro.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 33288759.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41467-020-20052-z and PMC identifier 7721730.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
The small intestine is a specialised organ, essential for nutrient digestion and absorption. It is lined with a complex epithelial cell layer. Intestinal epithelial cells can be cultured in three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds as self-organising entities with distinct domains containing stem cells and differentiated cells. Recent developments in bioengineering provide new possibilities for directing the organisation of cells in vitro. In this Perspective, focusing on the small intestine, we discuss how studies at the interface between bioengineering and intestinal biology provide new insights into organ function. Specifically, we focus on engineered biomaterials, complex 3D structures resembling the intestinal architecture, and micro-physiological systems.
Medical subject headings
- Bioengineering
- Epithelial Cells
- Intestinal Mucosa
- Intestine, Small
- Intestines
- Stem Cells