Human amniotic fluid stem cells: a new perspective

Abstract

The discovery of amniotic fluid stem cells initiated a new and very promising field in stem cell research. In the last four years amniotic fluid stem cells have been shown to express markers specific to pluripotent stem cells, such as Oct-4. Due to their high proliferation potential, amniotic fluid stem cell lineages can be established. Meanwhile, they have been shown to harbor the potential to differentiate into cells of all three embryonic germ layers. It will be a major aim for the future to define the potential of this new source of stem cells for therapies related to specific diseases.

Hyperthermia‐treated mesenchymal stem cells exert antitumor effects on human carcinoma cell line

“…ADSCs have the typical characteristics of adult mesenchymal stem cells, 49 whereas AFSCs have characteristics of both embryonic and adult stem cells. 50 Therefore, it can be speculated that AFSCs may be genetically more primitive and versatile and have more potential possibilities than ADSCs.…”

On the origin of amniotic stem cells: of mice and men

“…The recent isolation of cells with stem cell features from human amnion and amniotic fluid, opens many new venues (reviewed in Evangelista et al, 2008;Fauza, 2004;Ilancheran et al, 2009;Marcus and Woodbury, 2008;Miki and Strom, 2006;Pappa and Anagnou, 2009;Parolini et al, 2008;Parolini et al, 2009;Prusa and Hengstschlager, 2002;Siegel et al, 2008;Toda et al, 2007;Insausti et al, 2010). The low immunogenicity and the immunomodulatory properties (Akle et al, 1981;Banas et al, 2008;Ilancheran et al, 2007;Kubo et al, 2001;Wolbank et al, 2009) make amniotic membrane-derived epithelial stem cells promising for regeneration of tissues and ultimately even organs.…”

The heterogeneity of cell subtypes from a primary culture of human amniotic fluid

“…Amniotic fluid is heterogeneous and contains various types of cells. In terms of its morphological aspects and growth potential, three cell types have been identified from different amniotic fluid culture systems [10,11]: epitheloid-type (E-type), amniotic fluid-specific (AF-type) and fibroblastic-type (F-type) cells. AF-type and E-type cells are present at the outset of cultivation, while F-type cells usually appear later and cannot be identified in every amniocentesis sample.…”

“…AF-type and E-type cells are present at the outset of cultivation, while F-type cells usually appear later and cannot be identified in every amniocentesis sample. However, the inherent mechanism responsible for the cell variation of specific hAFC cultured by different research groups remains unclear [10,11]. In addition, there are inconsistencies in reports on the hAFC surface markers.…”