Organoids Modeling Stroke in a Petri Dish

Abstract

Stroke is a common neurological disorder, the second leading cause of death, and the third leading cause of disability. Unfortunately, the only approved drug for it is tissue plasminogen, but the therapeutic window is limited. In this context, preclinical studies are relevant to better dissect the underlying mechanisms of stroke and for the drug screening of potential therapies. Brain organoids could be relevant in this setting. They are derived from pluripotent stem cells or isolated organ progenitors that differentiate to form an organ-like tissue, exhibiting multiple cell types that self-organize to form a structure not unlike the organ in vivo. Brain organoids mimic many key features of early human brain development at molecular, cellular, structural, and functional levels and have emerged as novel model systems that can be used to investigate human brain diseases including stroke. Brain organoids are a promising and powerful tool for ischemic stroke studies; however, there are a few concerns that need to be addressed, including the lack of vascularization and the many cell types that are typically present in the human brain. The aim of this review is to discuss the potential of brain organoids as a novel model system for studying ischemic stroke, highlighting both the advantages and disadvantages in the use of this technology.