Experimental models of disease articles from across Nature Portfolio

Primary fetal organoids are currently derived from tissue samples obtained at termination of pregnancy. We developed an approach that enables prenatal derivation of epithelial organoids from fetal fluids. Single-cell mapping of the human amniotic fluid content unveiled the presence of viable fetal epithelial progenitors of multiple tissues that can form fetal lung, kidney and intestinal organoids.

Both caloric restriction and obesity affect autoimmune diseases. The activation of brainstem neurons in the ventrolateral medulla (VLM) with fasting suppresses experimental autoimmune diseases. Stimulation of VLM neurons alters T cell traffic by redistributing immune cells to bone marrow and reduces inflammatory cytokine production, thus providing therapy of experimental autoimmunity.

New research has shown that tryptophan metabolism is altered in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and that correction of this metabolic alteration has a protective effect against collagen-antibody-induced arthritis in mice.