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World J Gastroenterol. Dec 28, 2026; 32(48): 123934
Published online Dec 28, 2026. doi: 10.3748/wjg.123934
Published online Dec 28, 2026. doi: 10.3748/wjg.123934
Organoids as preclinical platforms for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: Model construction, mechanistic dissection, and therapeutic translation
Hao-Yu Xue, Tian-Yi Ren, Qin Pan, Jian-Gao Fan, Department of Gastroenterology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
Qin Pan, Jian-Gao Fan, Shanghai Institute of Pediatric Research, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
Author contributions: Xue HY conducted the literature review, did the analysis, created the artwork, and drafted the original manuscript; Ren TY and Pan Q assisted in manuscript supervision and made critical revisions; Fan JG conceptualized and designed the study, administered the project, supervised and reviewed the manuscript; all authors prepared the draft and approved the submitted version.
AI contribution statement: No AI tools were utilized for manuscript drafting, data analysis or figure preparation in this work.
Supported by the Noncommunicable Chronic Diseases-National Science and Technology Major Project, No. 023ZD0508700; the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 82470600; the Construction Project of the “Discipline Peak-Climbing Plan” of Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. XKPF2024B401; and the Postdoctoral Research Startup Fund of Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 2025BS02.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Jian-Gao Fan, MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Gastroenterology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai 200092, China. fanjiangao@xinhuamed.com.cn
Received: June 3, 2026
Revised: July 30, 2026
Accepted: September 8, 2026
Published online: December 28, 2026
Processing time: 153 Days and 22.8 Hours
Revised: July 30, 2026
Accepted: September 8, 2026
Published online: December 28, 2026
Processing time: 153 Days and 22.8 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide, yet targeted therapeutic options are limited. This review systematically summarizes liver organoids derived from human pluripotent stem cells, primary tissues, and immortalized cell lines in MASLD research, highlighting their distinct advantages in modeling MASLD pathogenesis, elucidating mechanisms, screening biomarkers, and validating therapeutics. It further discusses multi-tissue organoid systems, alongside current challenges and future directions to accelerate clinical translation and advance personalized medicine for MASLD.