In a major scientific advancement, a team from University College London and Great Ormond Street Hospital has grown organoids from human stem cells to explore congenital conditions before birth, potentially transforming prenatal care and diagnostics.
In a groundbreaking development, researchers at University College London (UCL) and Great Ormond Street Hospital have successfully grown “mini organs” or organoids using human stem cells derived from the amniotic fluid of pregnancies in late stage. Published across a series of updates in Nature Medicine, this pioneering research has the potential to transform the monitoring and treatment of congenital conditions before birth, thereby providing unprecedented insights into human developmental processes during late pregnancy.
These organoids, which include miniature versions of lungs, kidneys, and intestines, are cultivated to retain the biological properties of the fetus, allowing researchers a unique vantage point to study the functioning of these organs in both healthy and diseased states. The stem cells used for creating these organoids are extracted from amniotic fluid, offering a less regulatory-heavy method compared to foetal sampling, and circumventing ethical concerns associated with using fetal tissue directly.
The lead author of the study, Dr. Mattia Gerli, underscored the potential of this research in providing detailed insights into the development and disease progression within fetal organs. This approach not only opens up new pathways for diagnosing and treating congenital disorders such as Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) at their developmental stage but also offers a novel platform for assessing the efficacy of treatments and interventions before the baby is born.
By comparing organoids derived from healthy babies against those with conditions like CDH, the research teams have been able to demonstrate significant differences that point to the potential efficacy of treatments administered while the fetus is still in the womb. This breakthrough has significant implications not just for prenatal medicine but also for understanding and potentially treating a range of conditions affecting organ development and function.
This research was backed by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and Wellcome, highlighting the collaborative effort and the importance of funding in pushing the boundaries of prenatal medicine. As stated by Professor Paolo de Coppi, a senior author of the study, this advancement allows for a functional assessment of a child’s congenital condition even before birth, marking a significant milestone in prenatal care and research.
While this technology is still in the research phase and further validation is needed, its potential for clinical application in maternity hospitals worldwide could revolutionize prenatal care, offering hope for more precise diagnoses and tailored treatments for unborn babies with congenital disorders.
