Recent progress in the identification and in vitro culture of skin organoids

Abstract

An organoid is a cell-based structure that shows organ-specific properties and shares a similar spatial organization as the corresponding organ. Organoids possess powerful capability to reproduce the key functions of the associated organ structures, and their similarity to the organs makes them physiologically relevant systems. The primary challenge associated with the development of skin organoids is the complexity of the human skin architecture, which encompasses the epidermis and the dermis as well as accessory structures, including hair follicles, sweat glands, and sebaceous glands, that perform various functions such as thermoregulation. The ultimate objectives of developing skin organoids are to regenerate the complete skin structure in vitro and reconstruct the skin in vivo. Consequently, safety, reliability, and the fidelity of the tissue interfaces are key considerations in this process. For this purpose, the present article reviews the most recent advances in this field, focusing on the cell sources, culture methods, culture conditions, and biomarkers for identifying the structure and function of skin organoids developed in vitro or in vivo. The subsequent sections summarize the recent applications of skin organoids in related disease diagnosis and treatments, and discuss the future prospects of these organoids in terms of clinical applications. This review of skin organoids can provide an important foundation for studies on human skin development, disease modeling, and reconstructive surgery, with broad utility for promising future opportunities in both biomedical research and clinical practice.