Authors: Michela Pozzobon Martina Piccoli Paolo De Coppi
Publish Date: 2014/02/20
Volume: 15, Issue: 2, Pages: 199-211
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 nonmesenchymal cell types in addition the immunemodulatory 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 preclinical or clinical setting of the stem cell populations isolated from these sources
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