A Multi-Tissue Comparison and Molecular Characterization of Canine Organoids

ABSTRACT Organoids are 3-dimensional (3D) stem cell-derived cell culture lines that offer a variety of technical advantages compared to traditional 2-dimensional (2D) cell cultures. Although murine models have proved useful in biomedical research, rodent models often fail to adequately mimic human physiology and disease progression, resulting in poor preclinical prediction of therapeutic drug efficacy and toxicity. With the advent of organoid technology, many of these challenges can be overcome. Previously, the use of canine organoids in drug testing and disease modeling was limited to organoids originating from the intestine, liver, kidney, lung, and urinary bladder. Here, we report the cultivation, maintenance, and molecular characterization of two novel adult-stem cell-derived canine organoid cell lines, including the endometrium and pancreas, in addition to previously reported bladder, lung, and liver organoids from two genetically related canines. Five tissues and organoid lines from each donor were characterized using bulk RNA-seq, allowing for a unique, multi-organ comparison between these two individuals and identification of specific cell types such as glandular epithelial cells in endometrial organoids.