Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Organoid technology is critical for studying human brain development, but existing single-organoid culture systems fail to simulate inter-organ interactions (e.g., optic vesicle-brain) in embryogenesis. This study aimed to establish a more comprehensive in vitro model for early neurodevelopment. We established standardized protocols for cerebral organoids and optic vesicle-containing brain organoids (OVB-organoids), and performed multiscale analyses using immunofluorescence and transcriptomics to compare the two models. Key differences in cellular composition, structure, function and development were found; OVB-organoids better simulated early retinal development, visual-related structures/functions, with specific VSX2 expression and consistent transcriptomic profiles. OVB-organoids are an improved model for early neurodevelopment, providing a reliable basis for exploring eye-brain coordinated development mechanisms and having broad applications in developmental biology, disease research and personalized healthcare.
Source: Cells
Authors: Jingyi Yang, Xue Zhang, Shuang Li, Zhixian Gao
Institution: Academy of Military Medical Sciences
Language: English
Subfield: Developmental Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,258
Awards: G103148860, G3542125155
OpenAlex ID: W7154600253