Zhang Chen, Jing Yingying, Wang Jianhua, Xia Zhidao, Lai Yuxiao, Bai Long, Su Jiacan
Organoid Research Center, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China.
National Center for Translational Medicine (Shanghai) SHU Branch, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China.
Biomater Transl. 2024 Nov 15;5(4):390-410. doi: 10.12336/biomatertransl.2024.04.005. eCollection 2024.
The skeletal system, composed of bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons, serves as the foundation for maintaining human posture, mobility, and overall biomechanical functionality. However, with ageing, chronic overuse, and acute injuries, conditions such as osteoarthritis, intervertebral disc degeneration, muscle atrophy, and ligament or tendon tears have become increasingly prevalent and pose serious clinical challenges. These disorders not only result in pain, functional loss, and a marked reduction in patients' quality of life but also impose substantial social and economic burdens. Current treatment modalities, including surgical intervention, pharmacotherapy, and physical rehabilitation, often do not effectively restore the functionality of damaged tissues and are associated with high recurrence rates and long-term complications, highlighting significant limitations in their efficacy. Thus, there is a strong demand to develop novel and more effective therapeutic and reparative strategies. Organoid technology, as a three-dimensional micro-tissue model, can replicate the structural and functional properties of native tissues in vitro, providing a novel platform for in-depth studies of disease mechanisms, optimisation of drug screening, and promotion of tissue regeneration. In recent years, substantial advancements have been made in the research of bone, muscle, and joint organoids, demonstrating their broad application potential in personalised and regenerative medicine. Nonetheless, a comprehensive review of current research on skeletal organoids is still lacking. Therefore, this article aims to present an overview of the definition and technological foundation of organoids, systematically summarise the progress in the construction and application of skeletal organoids, and explore future opportunities and challenges in this field, offering valuable insights and references for researchers.
骨骼系统由骨骼、肌肉、关节、韧带和肌腱组成，是维持人体姿势、活动能力和整体生物力学功能的基础。然而，随着年龄增长、长期过度使用以及急性损伤，骨关节炎、椎间盘退变、肌肉萎缩以及韧带或肌腱撕裂等病症日益普遍，带来了严峻的临床挑战。这些疾病不仅导致疼痛、功能丧失，显著降低患者生活质量，还造成了巨大的社会和经济负担。当前的治疗方式，包括手术干预、药物治疗和物理康复，往往无法有效恢复受损组织的功能，且复发率高、伴有长期并发症，凸显出其疗效的重大局限性。因此，迫切需要开发新颖且更有效的治疗和修复策略。类器官技术作为一种三维微组织模型，能够在体外复制天然组织的结构和功能特性，为深入研究疾病机制、优化药物筛选以及促进组织再生提供了一个新平台。近年来，骨、肌肉和关节类器官的研究取得了重大进展，显示出它们在个性化和再生医学中的广泛应用潜力。尽管如此，目前仍缺乏对骨骼类器官研究的全面综述。因此，本文旨在概述类器官的定义和技术基础，系统总结骨骼类器官构建和应用的进展，并探讨该领域未来的机遇和挑战，为研究人员提供有价值的见解和参考。
