Abstract: Provided herein are methods of monitoring progression, regression, or stage of an AID in a subject, measuring a level of expression of a gene, an RNA, or a protein, or a combination thereof, in a sample obtained from a niche at the implantation site of a synthetic scaffold in the subject at a first time point and at a second time point, wherein the expression level measured at the first time point is compared to the expression level measured at the second time point, wherein the difference in the level of expression at the second time point relative to the level of expression at the first time point is indicative of progression, regression, or stage of the autoimmune disease. Related methods of detecting an AID, determining treatment for a subject with an AID, determining efficacy of an AID treatment, or treating an AID, are further provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of determining a subject's metastatic potential, comprising measuring a level of expression of a gene, an RNA, or a protein, or a combination thereof, in a sample obtained from a synthetically-engineered pMN implanted in the subject, wherein the measured expression level of the gene, RNA, or protein in the sample is compared to a control level. Related methods are also provided herein.