Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells for Wound Healing

Abstract

Amniotic fluid-derived stem (AFS) cells are an attractive cell source for applications in regenerative medicine due to their proliferation capacity, multipotency, immunomodulatory activity, and lack of significant immunogenicity. In addition, they have the ability to modulate inflammatory responses and secrete therapeutic cytokines. Because of these characteristics, AFS cells have been explored for treatments in wound healing and skin regeneration. Studies show that AFS cells are effective in accelerating wound healing in skin in fetal environments, and more recently in adult wounds. Evidence indicates that delivered cells are often transient, not permanently integrating into the final skin tissue. Instead, they secrete a portfolio of potent growth factors that are integral to skin regeneration and angiogenesis, suggesting a trophic mechanism of augmenting wound healing. These initial works of research suggest that delivery of AFS cells has potential to be an effective cell therapy for facilitating wound healing and should be further considered for clinical use in excessive skin wounds in human patients.