Organoids as Innovative Models for Bone and Joint Diseases

Abstract

Bone is one of the key components of the musculoskeletal system. Bone and joint disease are the fourth most widespread disease, in addition to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes, which seriously affect people’s quality of life. Bone organoids seem to be a great model by which to promote the research method, which further could improve the treatment of bone and joint disease in the future. Here, we introduce the various bone and joint diseases and their biology, and the conditions of organoid culture, comparing the in vitro models among 2D, 3D, and organoids. We summarize the differing potential methods for culturing bone-related organoids from pluripotent stem cells, adult stem cells, or progenitor cells, and discuss the current and promising bone disease organoids for drug screening and precision medicine. Lastly, we discuss the challenges and difficulties encountered in the application of bone organoids and look to the future in order to present potential methods via which bone organoids might advance organoid construction and application.

Keywords

• stem cells
• bone organoids
• joint/bone disease
• drug screening
• precision medicine