Brain organoids are self-organized three-dimensional aggregates generated from pluripotent stem cells. They exhibit complex cell diversities and organized architectures that resemble human brain development ranging from neural tube formation, neuroepithelium differentiation, neurogenesis and gliogenesis, to neural circuit formation. Rapid advancements in brain organoid culture technologies have allowed researchers to generate more accurate models of human brain development and neurological diseases. These models also allow for direct investigation of pathological processes associated with infectious diseases affecting the nervous system. In this review, we first briefly summarize recent advancements in brain organoid methodologies and neurodevelopmental processes that can be effectively modeled by brain organoids. We then focus on applications of brain organoids to investigate the pathogenesis of neurotropic viral infection. Finally, we discuss limitations of the current brain organoid methodologies as well as applications of other organ specific organoids in the infectious disease research.

脑类器官是由多能干细胞产生的自组织三维聚集体。它们表现出复杂的细胞多样性和组织结构，类似于人类大脑的发育，从神经管形成、神经上皮分化、神经发生和胶质细胞生成到神经回路形成。大脑类器官培养技术的快速进步使研究人员能够生成更准确的人类大脑发育和神经系统疾病模型。这些模型还允许直接研究与影响神经系统的传染病相关的病理过程。在这篇综述中，我们首先简要总结了脑类器官方法和可以通过脑类器官有效建模的神经发育过程的最新进展。然后我们重点关注脑类器官的应用来研究嗜神经病毒感染的发病机制。最后，我们讨论了当前脑类器官方法的局限性以及其他器官特异性类器官在传染病研究中的应用。