Modeling SARS-CoV-2 infection in individuals with opioid use disorder with brain organoids.
Moshe J WillnerYang XiaoHye Sung KimXuejing ChenBin XuKam W LeongPublished in: Journal of tissue engineering (2021)
The COVID-19 pandemic has aggravated a preexisting epidemic: the opioid crisis. Much literature has shown that the circumstances imposed by COVID-19, such as social distancing regulations, medical and financial instability, and increased mental health issues, have been detrimental to those with opioid use disorder (OUD). In addition, unexpected neurological sequelae in COVID-19 patients suggest that COVID-19 compromises neuroimmunity, induces hypoxia, and causes respiratory depression, provoking similar effects as those caused by opioid exposure. Combined conditions of COVID-19 and OUD could lead to exacerbated complications. With limited human in vivo options to study these complications, we suggest that iPSC-derived brain organoid models may serve as a useful platform to investigate the physiological connection between COVID-19 and OUD. This mini-review highlights the advances of brain organoids in other neuropsychiatric and infectious diseases and suggests their potential utility for investigating OUD and COVID-19, respectively.
Keyphrases
- sars cov
- coronavirus disease
- mental health
- respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- endothelial cells
- healthcare
- white matter
- infectious diseases
- induced pluripotent stem cells
- resting state
- chronic pain
- pain management
- systematic review
- risk factors
- public health
- high throughput
- physical activity
- risk assessment
- brain injury
- respiratory tract