For the first time, scientists have succeeded in cultivating a small but complex model of human organs from living fetal cells, a pioneering feat that sheds new light on our developmental processes and the potential ways to make uterine malformations. These organoids, while not complete replicas of the organs, are stunningly realistic and useful for studying disease and human biology, especially in areas that are difficult to perform in living humans.
In a novel study led by an international research team, organoids from the lungs, kidneys and intestines were grown from living stem cells in amniotic fluid. This miraculous liquid acts like a guardian angel to protect the growing baby and provide it with abundant nutrients. This liquid is safely extracted from the mother as part of regular prenatal check-ups and is unharming to the baby.
Mattia Gerli, a biologist at University College London in the United Kingdom, enthused: "The organoids we created from amniotic fluid cells exhibit many functions of the tissues they represent, including the expression of genes and proteins. He added, "These organoids will allow us to study the mysteries of health and disease development that we have never had before." ”
In the past, organoids were mostly grown from terminated fetal cells or ** stem cells, but the former was subject to ethical controversy and strict regulatory restrictions, while the latter was stunted. And this time, scientists are using organoids grown from amniotic fluid cells, giving scientists an unprecedented way to study problems in the womb, even weeks before the baby is born. While there is still a lot of in-depth research to get there, it certainly brings us one step closer to achieving it.
The team focused specifically on congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), a condition that causes respiratory problems. By comparing organoids grown in fetuses with and without CDH, researchers were able to track the genes associated with the disease, providing valuable information for future potential**.
Paolo de Coppi, Consultant Paediatrician at University College London, said: "This is the first time we have been able to carry out a functional assessment of a child's congenital condition before birth, which is undoubtedly a big leap forward in the field of antenatal medicine. He also explains: "Diagnosis often relies on imaging techniques such as ultrasound or MRI and genetic analysis. However, when faced with families with prenatal diagnoses, we are often unable to provide definitive answers because each case is unique in its own way. ”
This groundbreaking research opens up a new avenue for conducting diseases before they have serious consequences. Drugs for congenital conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, can be tested on organoids before being given to unborn babies, the researchers said. This is a window into fetal development that we have never had before.
While the authors of this study have successfully identified the cell types in the amniotic fluid and cultivated these tiny organs, which is a big step forward, there is still a lot of work to be done. "What we know about human late pregnancy is still very limited, so it's exciting to open up new areas of prenatal medicine," Gerli said. "With the continuous progress of science, we have reason to believe that the future of medicine will bring us more miracles and possibilities.