Human airway organoids for bacterial-host interaction studies: methods, insights and translational promise

BACKGROUND: The global burden of bacterial respiratory infections, now among the leading causes of mortality worldwide, has been exacerbated by the rise of antimicrobial resistance. This has highlighted significant gaps in current management strategies, underscoring the need for deeper insights into bacterial pathogenesis. METHODS: This review assesses the utility of various experimental models for achieving human relevance and explores recent innovations in human airway organoid (HAO) technology for modelling bacterial infections. RESULTS: Human airway organoid models offer a promising solution by merging the biological relevance of animal models with the versatility of cell cultures. Over the last decade, advancements in HAO technology have revolutionised our understanding of infection pathogenesis and expanded the scope of infection biology. CONCLUSIONS: We highlight the transformative discoveries made using HAOs and their potential to enhance healthcare management for bacterial respiratory infections.