Engineering tissue for the fetus: stem cells and matrix signalling

Congenital malformations are major causes of disease and death during the first years of life and, most of the time, functional replacement of the missing or damaged organs remains an unmet clinical need. Particularly relevant for the treatment of congenital malformation would be to collect the stem cells at diagnosis, before birth, to be able to intervene during the gestation or in the neonatal period. Human AFSCs (amniotic fluid stem cells), which have characteristics intermediate between those of embryonic and adult stem cells, have been isolated. c-Kit+Lin− cells derived from amniotic fluid display a multilineage haemopoietic potential and they can be easily reprogrammed to a pluripotent status. Although, in the future, we hope to use cells derived from the amniotic fluid, we and others have proved recently that simple organs such as the trachea can be engineered using adult progenitors utilizing decellularized cadaveric matrices. A similar approach could be used in the future for more complex organs such as the muscles, intestines or lungs.

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Amniotic Fluid Cells, Stem Cells, and p53: Can We Stereotype p53 Functions?

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms20092236 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (9) ◽

pp. 2236 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Melissa Rodrigues ◽

Christine Blattner ◽

Liborio Stuppia

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Amniotic Fluid ◽

Adult Stem Cells ◽

Tumor Formation ◽

Human Stem Cells ◽

Human Amniotic Fluid ◽

Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells ◽

Differentiated Cells ◽

High Proliferation Rate ◽

Alternative Sources

In recent years, great interest has been devoted to finding alternative sources for human stem cells which can be easily isolated, ideally without raising ethical objections. These stem cells should furthermore have a high proliferation rate and the ability to differentiate into all three germ layers. Amniotic fluid, ordinarily discarded as medical waste, is potentially such a novel source of stem cells, and these amniotic fluid derived stem cells are currently gaining a lot of attention. However, further information will be required about the properties of these cells before they can be used for therapeutic purposes. For example, the risk of tumor formation after cell transplantation needs to be explored. The tumor suppressor protein p53, well known for its activity in controlling Cell Prolif.eration and cell death in differentiated cells, has more recently been found to be also active in amniotic fluid stem cells. In this review, we summarize the major findings about human amniotic fluid stem cells since their discovery, followed by a brief overview of the important role played by p53 in embryonic and adult stem cells. In addition, we explore what is known about p53 in amniotic fluid stem cells to date, and emphasize the need to investigate its role, particularly in the context of cell tumorigenicity.

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291 ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS DERIVED FROM HUMAN AMNIOTIC FLUID

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv23n1ab291 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 243 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

S.-A. Choi ◽

J.-H. Lee ◽

K.-J. Kim ◽

E.-Y. Kim ◽

K.-S. Park ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Amniotic Fluid ◽

Adult Stem Cells ◽

Embryonic Stem ◽

Stem Cell Marker ◽

Second Trimester ◽

Cell Marker ◽

Human Amniotic Fluid ◽

Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells

Adult stem cells have the capacity to differentiate into several different cell types, although their differentiation potential is limited compared with that of embryonic stem cells. Thus, adult stem cells are regarded as an exciting source for new cell therapies. Recent observations also indicate that stem cells derived from second-trimester amniocentesis are pluripotent – capable of differentiating into multiple lineages, including representatives of all 3 embryonic germ layers. In addition, amniotic fluid stem cells can be used in the generation of disease- or patient-specific stem cells, and amniotic fluid stem cells could be an ideal source for autologous cell replacement therapy in the later life of the fetus. The aim of the present study was to investigate isolation and characterisation of human amniotic fluid-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAFS). We successfully isolated and characterised hAFS. Amniotic fluid samples were collected in the second trimester (median gestational age: 16 weeks, range: 15–17 weeks) for prenatal diagnosis. Specimens (2 mL) were centrifuged and incubated in low-glucose DMEM supplemented with 10% FBS, 25 ng of basic fibroblast growth factor, and 10 ng of epidermal growth factor at 37°C with 5% CO2. Human amniotic fluid cell (passage 6) expression of stem cell specific markers OCT-4, SOX2, Rex1, FGF4, and NANOG was confirmed by RT-PCR. Flow cytometric analysis showed that hAFS (passage 10) were positive for CD44, CD29, CD146, STRO1, and CD90 but negative for CD19. Immunocytochemical analysis of hAFS (passage 11) also showed the expression of OCT-4, SSEA-1, CD44, CD29, CD146, STRO1, and CD90, but hAFS were negative for CD19 and CD14. In conclusion, according to the previous studies on other mammalians, hAFS are an appropriate source of pluripotent stem cells. Here, we demonstrated that hAFS have a high expression of stem cell specific marker, including embryonic stem cell marker and mesenchymal stem cell marker. Therefore, amniotic fluid may be a suitable alternative source of multipotent stem cells.

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Stem cells in the amniotic fluid: the new chance of regenerative medicine

Orvosi Hetilap ◽

10.1556/oh.2011.29082 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 152 (15) ◽

pp. 581-587 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

József Gábor Joó

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Regenerative Medicine ◽

Amniotic Fluid ◽

Diagnostic Tool ◽

Congenital Malformations ◽

Genetic Diseases ◽

Storage Diseases ◽

Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells ◽

Amniotic Fluid Stem Cell ◽

Near Future

Amniotic fluid has been used in prenatal diagnosis for more than decades. It yields a simple and reliable screening and diagnostic tool for a variety of congenital malformations and genetic diseases such as chromosomal aberrations, neural tube defects or storage diseases. Nowadays the widening knowledge provides evidence that amniotic fluid is not only a screening and diagnostic tool, but it may be also the source of the effective therapy of several congenital and adult disorders. A subset of cells, the so-called stem cells were found in the amniotic fluid as well as the placenta, and they proved to be capable of maintaining prolonged undifferentiated proliferation. Stem cells are able to differentiate into multiple tissue types, originating from the three germ layers. In the near future stem cells isolated from amniotic fluid or placenta and stored by cryopreservation may play a significant role in regenerative medicine. Congenital malformations as well as certain diseases in adults might be treated by tissues coming from progenitor cells of amniotic fluid stem cell origin. This study gives a summary of the main characteristics of amniotic fluid stem cells and it also presents important examples of their possible clinical application. Orv. Hetil., 2011, 152, 581–587.

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Therapeutic Potential of Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells

Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy ◽

10.2174/1574888x11308020002 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 117-124 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Hassan Abdulrazzak ◽

Paolo De Coppi ◽

Pascale V Guillot

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Amniotic Fluid ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells

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Amniotic fluid stem cells ameliorate bladder dysfunction induced by chronic bladder ischemia in rat

Neurourology and Urodynamics ◽

10.1002/nau.23316 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 37 (1) ◽

pp. 123-131 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ching‐Chung Liang ◽

Sheng‐Wen Steven Shaw ◽

Yi‐Hao Lin ◽

Tsong‐Hai Lee

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Amniotic Fluid ◽

Bladder Dysfunction ◽

Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells ◽

Bladder Ischemia

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Accelerated wound closure – Systematic evaluation of cellulose acetate effects on biologically active molecules release from amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSCs)

Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry ◽

10.1002/bab.2162 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Tamrin Nuge ◽

Xiaoling Liu ◽

Kim Yeow Tshai ◽

Siew Shee Lim ◽

Norshariza Nordin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Amniotic Fluid ◽

Cellulose Acetate ◽

Wound Closure ◽

Biologically Active ◽

Systematic Evaluation ◽

Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells

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Oligohydramnion in the First Half of Pregnancy in the Fetuses with Congenital Abnormalities: Ultrasound Diagnostics and Obstetric Outcomes

Annals of the Russian academy of medical sciences ◽

10.15690/vramn1443 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 76 (4) ◽

pp. 341-350

Author(s):

Sergey M. Voevodin ◽

Tatiana V. Shemanaeva ◽

Alyona V. Serova

Keyword(s):

Amniotic Fluid ◽

Congenital Malformations ◽

Fetal Death ◽

Congenital Abnormalities ◽

Neonatal Period ◽

Perinatal Outcomes ◽

Main Group ◽

Obstetric Outcomes ◽

Fetal Abnormalities ◽

4D Ultrasound

Background.Oligohydramnion in the first half of pregnancy, combined with congenital abnormalities in the fetus has objective difficulties in diagnosis. The morphology features and type of defects associated with oligohydramnion, which manifests in the first half of pregnancy, are not sufficiently studied at the present stage. Aims to evaluate the clinical significance of diagnosing oligohydramnion in the first half of pregnancy in women with congenital fetal malformations. Materials and methods.The analysis of the course of pregnancy and perinatal outcomes in 77 women with low water content in combination with congenital malformations of the fetus and 72 patients with a normal amount of amniotic fluid and no congenital malformations of the fetus was performed. The patients of the main group were divided into two subgroups depending on the severity of oligohydramnion: the 1st subgroup (n = 54) patients with severe oligohydramnion and the 2nd subgroup (n = 23) patients with moderate oligohydramnion. The amount of amniotic fluid was determined by 3D/4D ultrasound (1321 weeks of gestation) and the structure of fetal abnormalities associated with oligohydramnion was analyzed. We evaluated perinatal outcomes in women with congenital malformations of the fetus in combination with oligohydramnion and the effect of its severity on the outcome of pregnancy. Results.In the main group (n = 77), fetal abnormalities were detected in patients: urinary system 39 (50.6%), respiratory system 4 (5.2%), heart 1 (1.3%), chromosomal and genetic abnormalities 14 (18.2%), central nervous system 3 (3.9%), osseous system 3 (3.9%), multiple 13 (16.9%). In the main group (n = 77), pregnancy was terminated for medical indications in 47 (61%) cases, in 6 (7.8%) spontaneous miscarriage occurred, in 5 (6.5%) antenatal fetal death. 19 (24.7%) children were born alive, and surgical treatment in the neonatal period was required in 8 (10.4%) cases. In the 1st subgroup (n = 54) in 53 (98.1%) cases, there was a loss of the fetus, in 1 (1.9%) the newborn died on the 9th day. In the 2nd subgroup (n = 23), fetal death occurred in 5 (21.7%) cases, 18 (78.3%) children were born alive, and 8 (44.4%) newborns were operated on in the neonatal period. In the control group, all pregnancies ended with the birth of healthy children. A decrease in ultrasound imaging of internal organs in the fetus was observed when a pregnant woman was obese (BMI more than 35). Conclusions.Oligohydramnion in the first half of pregnancy in combination with fetal malformation should be considered an extremely unfavorable clinical sign for the prognosis of pregnancy and the health of the fetus and newborn. 3D/4D ultrasound scanning allows you to reliably determine oligohydramnion in the first half of pregnancy, and the degree of its severity to assume the nature of complications.

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