Lab-grown Mini-Intestines Unveil How Shigella Bacteria Infect Human Gut Tissue

Researchers at Uppsala University have utilized lab-grown miniature intestine models to map the infection process of Shigella bacteria, a major cause of severe intestinal disease in humans. This innovative approach involves cultivating human intestinal organoids from stem cells derived from surgical waste, enabling scientists to study how these bacteria invade and manipulate the gut tissue.

The study, published in Nature Genetics, highlights the challenges of understanding human-specific bacterial infections through traditional animal models, which often do not accurately reflect human physiology. By using cultured mini-organs, researchers can now observe bacterial behavior in a more relevant human tissue context, opening new avenues for infection research.

Focusing specifically on Shigella, responsible for over 200,000 deaths annually—particularly among children—the team employed a method that randomly knocks out bacterial genes, examining the impact of these genetic changes on infection capability. Their findings reveal that although Shigella possesses roughly 5,000 genes, only around 100 are essential for tissue invasion and aggressive infection. This discovery provides valuable targets for developing therapies that could inhibit these pathogenic genes.

The study’s collaborations span institutions including Uppsala University, the Helmholtz Institute in Germany, and Toronto University, emphasizing its international significance. The research demonstrates that cultured human mini-organs hold promise not only for studying Shigella but also for investigating a variety of other infections that are difficult to replicate in animal models, ultimately advancing our understanding of human-specific pathogens and potential treatments.

This groundbreaking work underscores the potential of stem cell-derived intestinal models to transform infection research and contribute to the development of targeted interventions against deadly bacterial diseases.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-lab-grown-mini-intestines-shigella.html