Unraveling Interactions Between Gut Epithelium and Microbiota Using Models of Intestinal Organoids

Intestinal microbiota is an indispensable part of intestinal homeostasis and is closely related to human health. Intestinal microbiota participates in the development of a variety of intestinal diseases in a complex and diverse manner. Previous results have confirmed microbiota dysbiosis in a variety of diseases, while the mechanism is not clear. It is valuable to unravel these complex mechanisms, which would guide future therapies. A limiting factor of studies exploring interaction mechanisms between gut epithelium and microbiota was a lack of an in vitro organ model. The development of organoids has provided an indispensable tool for gastrointestinal studies. Here, we review the applications of organoids in exploring the roles of gut microbiota and its metabolites in diseases, summarize the advantages and limitations of organoid models, and discuss future prospective and challenges in this area.