Breakthrough in Human Development: Mini-Organs Grown from Foetal Cells in the Womb
In a groundbreaking development, researchers have successfully grown mini-organs from cells shed by foetuses in the womb. This achievement holds immense potential for understanding human development during late pregnancy. The team created 3D organoids using lung, kidney, and intestinal cells obtained from the amniotic fluid that surrounds and protects the foetus in the uterus. Notably, this is the first time that such organoids have been generated from untreated cells in the fluid, opening up new avenues for studying the causes and progression of malformations that affect a significant percentage of babies worldwide.
Dr Mattia Gerli, a stem cell researcher at UCL, expressed excitement about the possibilities offered by foetal organoids, which are less than a millimetre wide. He stated that these organoids would enable scientists to study foetal development in both healthy and diseased conditions, which was previously unattainable. By creating organoids months before a baby is born, scientists believe they can facilitate more personalized interventions by aiding doctors in diagnosing defects and determining the most effective treatment strategies.
Organoids are small clusters of cells that mimic the structure and functions of larger tissues and organs to varying degrees. Scientists utilize organoids to investigate organ growth, aging processes, disease progression, and the potential for drug intervention. While most organoids are derived from adult tissue, researchers have recently started generating them from foetal cells. The most ethically sensitive approach involved using tissue collected from terminated foetuses, while others involved reprogramming cells into a more embryo-like state.
In a study published in Nature Medicine, Dr Gerli and Prof Paolo de Coppi, a foetal surgeon at Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, detailed their analysis of amniotic fluid samples obtained from 12 pregnant women during routine diagnostic testing. Although most cells in the fluid were nonviable, a small fraction turned out to be stem cells responsible for the development of the baby’s lungs, kidneys, and intestines. The researchers successfully grew these cells into 3D organoids by injecting them into gel droplets and cultivating them.
To explore the potential applications of these organoids, the team created lung organoids using cells from unborn babies diagnosed with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). CDH is a condition characterized by a hole in the diaphragm, the muscle beneath the lungs that facilitates breathing. This hole allows abdominal organs to exert pressure on the lungs, impeding their growth. A comparison of organoids from CDH babies before and after treatment revealed significant differences in their development, indicating the effectiveness of the treatment. Prof de Coppi highlighted the significance of this achievement, stating, “This is the first time that we’ve been able to make a functional assessment of a child’s congenital condition before birth.”
The same approach could be applied to investigate other congenital conditions such as cystic fibrosis, which causes mucus buildup in the lungs, as well as malformations in the kidneys and gut. By testing drugs on these organoids prior to administration to babies, researchers can assess their efficacy in alleviating congenital disorders.
Professor Roger Sturmey, an expert in reproductive medicine at the University of Hull, commended this research for enabling scientists to study the formation and functioning of key organs in unborn babies without relying on tissue donated for research after abortions. He further noted that this breakthrough could potentially shed light on the early origins of adult diseases by elucidating the consequences of cellular malfunction in key foetal tissues.
This groundbreaking achievement in growing mini-organs from foetal cells in the womb has opened up new avenues for understanding human development and studying congenital conditions. The ability to create organoids from untreated cells in amniotic fluid holds immense promise for personalized interventions and the development of targeted treatments for babies with malformations. With further research, this breakthrough could revolutionize our understanding of human development and pave the way for improved healthcare outcomes for newborns.
