Single-cell guided prenatal derivation of primary fetal epithelial organoids from human amniotic and tracheal fluids.

Isolation of tissue-specific fetal stem cells and derivation of primary organoids is limited to samples obtained from termination of pregnancies, hampering prenatal investigation of fetal development and congenital diseases. Therefore, new patient-specific in vitro models are needed. To this aim, isolation and expansion of fetal stem cells during pregnancy, without the need for tissue samples or reprogramming, would be advantageous.

Primary human organoids models: Current progress and key milestones.

During the past 10 years the world has experienced enormous progress in the organoids field. Human organoids have shown huge potential to study organ development, homeostasis and to model diseases . The organoid technology has been widely and increasingly applied to generate patient-specific 3D cultures, starting from both primary and reprogrammed stem/progenitor cells.

Pregnancy and the global disease burden.

Pregnant women experience unique physiological changes pertinent to the effective prevention and treatment of common diseases that affect their health and the health of their developing fetuses. In this paper, the impact of major communicable (HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, helminth infections, emerging epidemic viral infections) as well as non-communicable conditions (mental illness, substance abuse, gestational diabetes, eclampsia) on pregnancy is discussed. The current state of research involving pregnant women in these areas is also described, highlighting important knowledge gaps for the management of key illnesses that impact pregnancy globally.