title: Human amniotic-fluid-derived stem cells: a unique source for regenerative medicine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The first application of tissue engineering was based on the use of differentiated cells from the adult organism, which was associated with an invasiveness and high risk of diseased cells' transplantation. Over the years, the range of available cell populations for tissue engineering has widened.
  
  
  METHODS
  We review the comprehensive information concerning the characteristic features of amniotic-fluid-derived stem cells (AFSCs). We also review the potential applications of these cells in clinical practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AFSCs hold promise for the future treatment of many incurable diseases. However, such cell-based therapies have some limitations, and there are questions relating to the use of stem cells, which should be carefully analyzed before translation of these cells into clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Nicolaus Copernicus University, Department of Tissue Engineering , Karlowicza 24, 85-092 Bydgoszcz , Poland +48 525853737 ; +48 525853742 ; a_bajek@wp.pl.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bajek
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Olkowska
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gurtowska
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kloskowski
authors.forename: Malgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Walentowicz-Sadlecka
authors.forename: Pawel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sadlecki
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grabiec
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Drewa
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000166:cytology*; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D019070:Cell Lineage; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002469:Cell Separation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010641:Phenotype; D011247:Pregnancy; D044968:Regenerative Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: amniotic fluid; cell therapy; human amniotic-fluid-derived stem cells; stem cells