title: Stem cells from fetal membranes and amniotic fluid: markers for cell isolation and therapy.
abstract: Stem cell therapy is in constant need of new cell sources to conceive regenerative medicine approaches for diseases that are still without therapy. Scientists drew the attention toward amniotic membrane and amniotic fluid stem cells, since these sources possess many advantages: first of all as cells can be extracted from discarded foetal material it is inexpensive, secondly abundant stem cells can be obtained and finally, these stem cell sources are free from ethical considerations. Many studies have demonstrated the differentiation potential in vitro and in vivo toward mesenchymal and non-mesenchymal cell types; in addition the immune-modulatory properties make these cells a good candidate for allo- and xenotransplantation. This review offers an overview on markers characterisation and on the latest findings in pre-clinical or clinical setting of the stem cell populations isolated from these sources.
authors.affiliation: Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pozzobon
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piccoli
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Coppi
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods; D064987:Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005321:Extraembryonic Membranes / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*