UCLA

Intestinal stem cell organoid transplantation generates functional intestinal neomucosa and has been used therapeutically to improve nutrient absorption and cure bile acid malabsorption in rats. We hypothesized that intestinal organoids can be harvested and transplanted to generate intestinal neomucosa in a large animal model. In group 1, 2-month old beagles (n = 6) underwent autotransplantation of intestinal organoids prepared from a segment of their own ileum. In group 2, intestinal organoids were harvested from fetuses and allotransplanted into 10-month old mother animals (n = 4). Tissues were harvested after 4 weeks and analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin histology and fluorescent microscopy. Large numbers of viable organoids were harvested in both groups. In group 1, no neomucosal growth was identified in any of the engraftment sites after autotransplantation of juvenile organoids. In group 2, neomucosal growth with large areas of crypts and villi was identified in 11 of 12 polyglycolic acid scaffolds after allotransplantation of fetal organoids. The neomucosa resembled normal canine mucosa in structure and composition. Intestinal stem cell organoid transplantation can be used to generate neomucosa in dogs. This is the first report of successful generation of intestinal neomucosa using intestinal stem cell organoid transplantation in a large animal model.