Development of lung organoid models and their application in health effect assessment of occupational exposure

The lungs, being the principal respiratory organs in humans, are highly vulnerable to occupational exposure hazards. The rapid industrialization and urbanization in China, coupled with the rise of new industries, have heightened the risk of lung-related occupational hazards for workers, thereby presenting substantial challenges to research in lung-related occupational toxicology. The emerging technology of lung organoids, a three-dimensional cell culture technique, has the potential to replicate human lung structure and function in a laboratory setting, enabling direct observation and assessment of various impacts. Furthermore, the organoid model's short cycles and high throughput play a critical role in the simulation of the occurrence and development of lung impairments and the screening and evaluation of potential therapeutic drugs for occupational lung diseases. As such, the utilization of lung-related organoid technology not only improves the assessment level of the health effects of lung-related occupational exposure, but also enhances researchers' understanding of the pathological mechanisms underlying lung diseases and aids in the development of prevention and treatment strategies, rendering it a valuable tool for investigating occupational lung diseases. This paper provided a comprehensive overview of the advancements in lung organoid models and their biomedical applications, particularly in the evaluation of the potential application in the heath effects of lung-related occupational exposures.