A rapid method for generating transplantable and biologically responsive colonic tissue from human induced pluripotent stem cells.

BackgroundThe colonic mucosa consists of cell populations derived from multiple lineages. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are capable of generating large numbers of differentiated cells from any lineage. Thus, iPSCs are highly versatile for derivation of intestinal cells for generation of colonic mucosal tissue for clinical and biological applications. ObjectiveWe set out to create a human iPSC (hiPSC) multi-lineage co-differentiation platform capable of generating colonic mucosal tissue in vitro. DesignWe used hiPSCs and designed a differentiation protocol consisting of small molecules and recombinant growth factors to generate multiple cell lineages. Cells were seeded onto collagen hydrogels (forming colonic patches - CoPs) and modulated with multiple growth factors important in intestinal biology. CoPs were transplanted into immunosuppressed mice. Generated cells and tissues were profiled with transcriptomic analysis. ResultshiPSC co-differentiation led to multiple intestinal epithelial, mesenchymal and endothelial cell populations. Seeded onto collagen scaffolds these cells created CoPs, which were transplanted into mouse subcutis. Engrafted CoPs developed into normal-looking colonic mucosa containing epithelial crypts (with enterocytes, goblet cells and neuroendocrine cells), multiple lamina propria-resident stromal populations and muscularis mucosae smooth muscle. They anastomosed to murine vasculature and maintained in-vitro for several weeks. We demonstrated that CoPs respond to known signalling pathways important in colonic mucosal biology and fibrogenesis, showing potential to provide a complex model of colonic pathobiology. ConclusionThis platform could offer an accurate model of intestinal pathobiology, supply cells for regenerative cell therapies to treat intestinal disease, and provide therapeutic autologous grafts to repair damaged colon.