Microscopic Colitis: from Single Cell to Complex Model System

• Funding source: Research Council of Lithuania
• Grant agreement number: S-MIP24-133
• Date: July 2024 – December 2027
• Description: The project aims to develop a novel and highly needed in vitro co-culture model of microscopic colitis (MC) by combining state-of-the-art technologies such as single-cell transcriptome sequencing and intestinal organoids. First, within the frames of this project, a comprehensive single-cell molecular analysis of immune and non-immune cells of MC patients and healthy individuals will be performed to identify potential disease markers as well as key colonic cell (sub)populations associated with the etiology and/or pathology of MC. Subsequently, findings on the molecular level will be transferred to an in vitro setting where MC patient-derived colonic epithelial organoids will be complemented with the most important identified subtypes of colonic immune and/or non-immune cells bringing a complex model mimicking colon tissue architecture. The established system will be characterized on different levels to assess not only cellular composition and spatial organization but also the functional capability of different cell types.