Amniotic Fluid-Derived Pluripotential Cells

The pluripotent progenitor cells isolated from amniotic fluid present an exciting possible contribution to the field of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, and may be an excellent source for research and therapeutic applications. The embryonic and fetal progenitor cells have better potential for expansion than adult stem cells, which is why they could represent a better source for therapeutic applications in which large numbers of cells are needed. This chapter describes the experiments that led to the isolation and characterization of amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSCs). The various lineages that these cells have been differentiated into thus far are also described, and the future of these promising new stem cells is discussed. The ability to isolate the progenitor cells during gestation may also be advantageous for babies born with congenital malformations. When compared with embryonic stem cells, the progenitor cells isolated from amniotic fluid have many similarities: they can differentiate into all three germ layers, they express common markers, and they preserve their telomere length. The progenitor cells isolated from amniotic fluid differentiate easily into specific cell lineages, and they do not need feeder layers to grow, neither do they require the sacrifice of human embryos for their isolation. © 2009