Advances in construction and applications of human lung organoids

Organoids are three-dimensional tissue structures derived from stem cells. In recent years, significant progress has been made in the culture technology of human lung organoids. This technology can create three-dimensional tissue structures that can recapitulate the architecture and function of the human lung via stage-specific induction of directed differentiation among stem cells or specialized progenitor cells. As a powerful tool for research, this technology allows in-depth investigation into lung development, provides mechanistic insights into pulmonary diseases, and accelerates the discovery of drugs. This review summarizes the latest progress in the generation of human lung organoids from adult stem cells, embryonic stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells in general and what needs to be optimized in current culture systems in particular, such as the development of organoid models that can accurately reproduce the distal lung architecture. In addition, the article outlines the applications of human lung organoids in pulmonary disease research, cancer drug screening, and regenerative medicine while opportunities and future applications of this promising technology are also predicted.