title: Placental amniotic epithelial cells and their therapeutic potential in liver diseases.
abstract: As a unique source of stem cells, there is a growing interest in amniotic epithelial (AE) cells. Placenta is readily available; in fact, it is often discarded following delivery. As such, it is without the ethical concerns of embryonic stem cells. Further advantages to AE include that AE cells do not demonstrate tumorigenicity upon transplantation, and are gifted with immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, AE cells have exceptional features for use as cell-based therapies for liver disease.
authors.affiliation: University of Iowa College of Science , Iowa City, IA , USA.
authors.forename: Asli Ceren
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Tahan
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, University of Iowa , Iowa City, IA , USA.
authors.forename: Veysel
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tahan
keywords: liver diseases; placenta; placental amniotic epithelial cells; stem cells; therapy