Recapitulating lipid accumulation and related metabolic dysregulation in human liver-derived organoids

Fatty liver disease has grown into a major global health burden, attributed to multi-factors including sedentary lifestyle, obesogenic diet and prevalence of metabolic disorders. The lack of robust experimental models is hampering the research and therapeutic development for fatty liver disease. This study aims to develop an organoid-based 3D culture model to recapitulate key features of fatty liver disease focusing on intracellular lipid accumulation and metabolic dysregulation. We used human liver-derived intrahepatic cholangiocyte organoids and hepatocyte differentiated organoids. These organoids were exposed to lactate, pyruvate, and octanoic acid (LPO) for inducing lipid accumulation and mitochondrial impairment. Lipid accumulation resulted in alternations of gene transcription with major effects on metabolic pathways, including triglyceride and glucose level increase, which is consistent with metabolic changes in fatty liver disease patients. Interestingly, lipid accumulation affected mitochondria as shown by morphological transitions, alternations in expression of mitochondrial encoded genes, and reduction of ATP production. Meanwhile, we found treatment with obeticholic acid and metformin can alleviate fat accumulation in organoids. This study demonstrated that LPO exposure can induce lipid accumulation and associated metabolic dysregulation in human liver-derived organoids. This provides an innovative model for studying fatty liver disease and testing potential therapeutics.