Abstract
In this paper, we provide an overview of the potential advantages and disadvantages of different stem and progenitor cell populations identified to date in amniotic fluid, along with their properties and potential clinical applications. In the last ten years, placenta, fetal membranes (i.e. amnion and chorion), and amniotic fluid have been extensively investigated as a potential non-controversial source of stem cells. They are usually discarded after delivery and are accessible during pregnancy through amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling. Several populations of cells with multi-lineage differentiation potential and immune-modulatory properties have been isolated from the human placenta and fetal membranes; they have been classified by an international workshop as human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) human amniotic mesenchymal stromal cells (hAMSCs) human chorionic mesenchymal stromal cells (hCMSCs) by Igura et al. and Anker et al., and human chorionic trophoblastic cells (hCTCs). Although only recently described, these cells may, given the easier accessibility of the AF in comparison to other extra-embryonic tissues, hold much promise in regenerative medicine.
Highlights
In the last ten years, placenta, fetal membranes, and amniotic fluid have been extensively investigated as a potential non-controversial source of stem cells
[1] Several populations of cells with multi-lineage differentiation potential and immunemodulatory properties have been isolated from the human placenta and fetal membranes; they have been classified by an international workshop [2] as human amniotic epithelial cells [3,4,5,6,7,8] human amniotic mesenchymal stromal cells [9,10] human chorionic mesenchymal stromal cells by Igura et al and Anker et al, and human chorionic trophoblastic cells
It is likely that one cell type may be better than another, depending on the clinical scenario, the recent discovery of accessible cells of fetal derivation, not burdened by ethical concerns, in the amniotic fluid (AF) has the potential to open new horizons in regenerative medicine
Summary
In the last ten years, placenta, fetal membranes (i.e. amnion and chorion), and amniotic fluid have been extensively investigated as a potential non-controversial source of stem cells. In 2003, In’t Anker demonstrated that the AF can be an abundant source of fetal cells that exhibit a phenotype and a multilineage differentiation potential similar to that of bone marrow-derived MSCs; these cells were named AF mesenchymal stem cells (AFMSCs).
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