title: Amniotic fluid as a source of pluripotent and multipotent stem cells for organ regeneration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Amniotic fluid, due to its contact to the fetus during development, is considered an important diagnostic tool to evaluate the health status of the fetus during pregnancy. However, amniotic fluid also contains a heterogeneous cellular population that can be safely collected by amniocentesis and easily cultured. Many different cell types have been found within amniotic fluid and currently some of them are being tested for their possible use for cellular therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Potential of pluripotent and multipotent cells isolated from the amniotic fluid has been tested and in-vitro differentiations toward various cell types have been successfully performed. Furthermore, in-vivo studies are highlighting the benefits and mechanisms of amniotic fluid cells for therapy, with particular focus on kidney and lung diseases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Amniotic fluid may represent a precious source for easily and safely retrievable cell types that may be used for regenerative medicine purposes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, Saban Research Institute, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90027, USA.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Da Sacco
authors.forename: Roger E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: De Filippo
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Perin
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000166:cytology*; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D039902:Multipotent Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D044968:Regenerative Medicine / Q000379:methods*