Human Amniotic Fluid-Derived and Amniotic Membrane-Derived Stem Cells

Abstract

Application of amnion membrane with multiple bioactive biomaterial has over 100 years of history. Amnion membrane- and amniotic fluid-derived stem cells mainly included mesenchymal stem cells and epithelial cells. They have special morphology and express some of stem cell markers, different immunophenotype molecules, and germ layer original protein markers for identification. Amnion membrane-derived stem cells may be isolated and purified by using two digestive enzymes, with different adherence time and subculture. They may differentiate into kinds of function cells of three germ layers in in vitro and in vivo. Amniotic fluid-derived and amniotic mesenchymal stem cells not only have the power of proliferation and plasticity feature, but also have other functions, such as immunoregulation, angiogenic potential, and secretion. Amniotic epithelial cells seem to play a more effective role in neuronal damage. The immunoregulation of amniotic mesenchymal stem cells is emphasized on effects and the mechanism. The transplantation of amnion membrane- and amniotic fluid-derived stem cells, and engineered seed cells generate significant therapeutic actions on regeneration of tissue or organ injury and autoimmune diseases, etc. Although the safety and effectiveness still need further investigations, amnion membrane, amnion membrane- and amniotic fluid-derived stem cells have been shown a broad application prospect. The mesenchymal stem cells are considered as available sources of regenerative treatment. As adult mesenchymal stem cells, are generally derived from the mesoderm, such as bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, adipose, amnion, amniotic fluid, Wharton’s jelly, and mobilizing peripheral blood. They have multipotent differentiation capacity and can be differentiated into various cell types, except for self-renewal. Many studies have demonstrated that the stem cells identified from amniotic membrane and amniotic fluid are shown to have advantages for many reasons, including the possibility of noninvasive isolation, low immunogenicity, abundant sources, anti-inflammatory and non-tumorigenicity properties, and minimal ethical problem (Ilancheran et al. in Placenta, 30:2–10, 2009; Wolbank et al. in Tissue Eng, 13:1173–83, 2007; Ilancheran et al. in Biol Reprod, 77:577–588, 2007; Wolbank et al. in Tissue Eng Part A, 15:1843–1854, 2009; Moodley et al. in Am J Respir Crit Care Med, 182:643–651, 2010).