Brain organoids as models for studying neuropathologies in domestic animals

Abstract

The brain is a complex organ and any model for studying it in its normal and pathological aspects becomes a tool of choice in neurobiology. The mastery and dissemination of protocols allowing the development of brain organoids have opened the way to new studies in the field of brain development, the modeling of neurodegenerative or neurodevelopmental diseases, the understanding of tumors as well as infectious diseases that affect the brain. While studies so far have mostly focused on the use of human brain organoids, there is increasing interest in similar models in other species. This review presents what is currently being developed in this field with particular emphasis on the potential of brain organoids for the study of neuro-infectious diseases in domestic animals, particularly in horses. For this species, neurological damage linked to viral encephalitis is among the most damaging to the industry. The development of organoid models for farm/domestic animals, and particularly for equine species, will reduce both the costs and time requirements of the research on neurological diseases in these species and allow further implementation of the 3R principles, for both agronomic and societal issues.