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Human Embryos, Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells, and Organoids: Models to Assess the Effects of Environmental Plastic Pollution
Summary
This review evaluated human embryos, induced pluripotent stem cells, and organoids as models for studying plastic pollution health effects, arguing that these human-derived systems better capture species-specific molecular responses to micro- and nanoplastics than conventional animal models and should be prioritized in risk assessment research.
For a long time, animal models were used to mimic human biology and diseases. However, animal models are not an ideal solution due to numerous interspecies differences between humans and animals. New technologies, such as human-induced pluripotent stem cells and three-dimensional (3D) cultures such as organoids, represent promising solutions for replacing, refining, and reducing animal models. The capacity of organoids to differentiate, self-organize, and form specific, complex, biologically suitable structures makes them excellent in vitro models of development and disease pathogenesis, as well as drug-screening platforms. Despite significant potential health advantages, further studies and considerable nuances are necessary before their clinical use. This article summarizes the definition of embryoids, gastruloids, and organoids and clarifies their appliance as models for early development, diseases, environmental pollution, drug screening, and bioinformatics.