Integration of iPSC-Derived Microglia into Brain Organoids for Neurological Research

Abstract

The advent of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) has revolutionized neuroscience research. This groundbreaking innovation has facilitated the development of three-dimensional (3D) neural organoids, which closely mimicked the intricate structure and diverse functions of the human brain, providing an unprecedented platform for the in-depth study and understanding of neurological phenomena. However, these organoids lack key components of the neural microenvironment, particularly immune cells like microglia, thereby limiting their applicability in neuroinflammation research. Recent advancements focused on addressing this gap by integrating iPSC-derived microglia into neural organoids, thereby creating an immunized microenvironment that more accurately reflects human central neural tissue. This review explores the latest developments in this field, emphasizing the interaction between microglia and neurons within immunized neural organoids and highlights how this integrated approach not only enhances our understanding of neuroinflammatory processes but also opens new avenues in regenerative medicine.