title: Amniotic fluid stem cells prevent β-cell injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The contribution of amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSC) to tissue protection and regeneration in models of acute and chronic kidney injuries and lung failure has been shown in recent years. In the present study, we used a chemically induced mouse model of type 1 diabetes to determine whether AFSC could play a role in modulating β-cell injury and restoring β-cell function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice were given intracardial injection of AFSC; morphological and physiological parameters and gene expression profile for the insulin pathway were evaluated after cell transplantation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AFSC injection resulted in protection from β-cell damage and increased β-cell regeneration in a subset of mice as indicated by glucose and insulin levels, increased islet mass and preservation of islet structure. Moreover, β-cell preservation/regeneration correlated with activation of the insulin receptor/Pi3K/Akt signaling pathway and vascular endothelial growth factor-A expression involved in maintaining β-cell mass and function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest a therapeutic role for AFSC in preserving and promoting endogenous β-cell functionality and proliferation. The protective role of AFSC is evident when stem cell transplantation is performed before severe hyperglycemia occurs, which suggests the importance of early intervention. The present study demonstrates the possible benefits of the application of a non-genetically engineered stem cell population derived from amniotic fluid for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus and gives new insight on the mechanism by which the beneficial effect is achieved.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Villani
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Milanesi
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Sargis
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sedrakyan
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Da Sacco
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Angelow
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Conconi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Di Liddo
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Filippo
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California. Electronic address: lperin@chla.usc.edu.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Perin
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology; D000818:Animals; D064987:Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D012038:Regeneration; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin
keywords: amniotic fluid; pancreas; regeneration; stem cells; type 1 diabetes mellitus; β-cell