Amniotic fluid stem cell models: A tool for filling the gaps in knowledge for human genetic diseases

Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells: What They Are and What They Can Become

In the last two decades, fetal amniotic fluid stem cells progressively attracted attention in the context of both basic research and the development of innovative therapeutic concepts. They exhibit broadly multipotent plasticity with the ability to differentiate into cells of all three embryonic germ layers and low immunogenicity. They are convenient to maintain, highly proliferative, genomically stable, non-tumorigenic, perfectly amenable to genetic modifications, and do not raise ethical concerns. However, it is important to note that among the various fetal amniotic fluid cells, only c-Kit+ amniotic fluid stem cells represent a distinct entity showing the full spectrum of these features. Since amniotic fluid additionally contains numerous terminally differentiated cells and progenitor cells with more limited differentiation potentials, it is of highest relevance to always precisely describe the isolation procedure and characteristics of the used amniotic fluid-derived cell type. It is of obvious interest for scientists, clinicians, and patients alike to be able to rely on up-todate and concisely separated pictures of the utilities as well as the limitations of terminally differentiated amniotic fluid cells, amniotic fluid-derived progenitor cells, and c-Kit+ amniotic fluid stem cells, to drive these distinct cellular models towards as many individual clinical applications as possible.

Activity of p53 in human amniotic fluid stem cells increases their potentiality as a candidate for stem cell therapy

The potential use of stem cells as a therapeutic treatment for many neurological disorders, such as stroke, has spiked an interest in their properties. Due to limitations of the present-day treatments, regenerative and protective therapies could prove very beneficial if a safe and effective treatment is identified. Using human amniotic fluid stem (hAFS) cells could theoretically provide both neuroprotective and regenerative properties to patients, and knowledge of p53's activity and function could be a key component in understanding the behavior and characteristics of these stem cells to harness their full potential. Many recent studies on p53 have provided new and valuable information that could give rise to new ideas for treatment options. More specifically, p53's activity inside hAFS cells lead them closer to becoming a potential therapeutic stem cell. Other neuroprotective treatments, such as hyperoxia and hypoxia sessions, are showing positive results. In combination, these data are helping to get closer to an effective treatment for neurological disorders.