Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026
12:40
Isolation and Expansion of Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells Derived from Human Placenta Tissue
Published on: June 6, 2016
Placenta-derived stem cells: new hope for cell therapy?
Marco Evangelista1, Maddalena Soncini, Ornella Parolini
1Centro di Ricerca E. Menni, Fondazione Poliambulanza - Istituto Ospedaliero, Via Bissolati, 57, 25124, Brescia, Italy.
Cytotechnology
|November 13, 2008
Summary
Human term placenta offers a plentiful, safe, and ethical stem cell source for regenerative medicine. Placental cells show potential for therapeutic applications in tissue repair and organ regeneration.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Stem Cell Biology
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- A critical need exists for abundant, safe, and ethical stem cell sources in regenerative medicine.
- Human term placenta is a readily available, ethically unproblematic, and easily procured source.
- Placental cells possess differentiation potential and immunomodulatory properties, suggesting allogeneic transplantation viability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current knowledge on stem cells derived from the amniotic membrane of human term placenta.
- To assess the potential of these cells in addressing limitations in regenerative medicine.
- To highlight the promise of placental stem cells for therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on placenta-derived cells.
- Analysis of differentiation capacity and immunomodulatory effects.
- Evaluation of potential clinical applications in regenerative medicine.
Main Results:
- Human term placenta is a rich source of stem cells with potential for differentiation into multiple cell types.
- Placental stem cells exhibit immunomodulatory functions, beneficial for allogeneic transplantation.
- Further research is needed to fully characterize differentiation potential and clinical utility.
Conclusions:
- Cells from the amniotic membrane of human term placenta represent a promising source for regenerative medicine.
- These cells offer a safe, ethical, and plentiful alternative for therapeutic development.
- Continued investigation is crucial for unlocking the full clinical potential of placental stem cells.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Stem Cell Culture
Stem cell research aims to find ways to use stem cells to regenerate and repair cellular damage. Over time, most adult cells undergo the wear and tear of aging and lose their ability to divide and repair themselves. Stem cells do not display a particular morphology or function. Adult stem cells, which exist as a small subset of cells in most tissues, keep dividing and can differentiate into a number of specialized cells generally formed by that tissue. These cells enable the body to renew and...
01:22iPS Cell Differentiation
The ability of induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs to differentiate into most body cell types has stimulated repair and regenerative medicine research over the past few decades. iPSC-derived blood cells, hepatocytes, beta islet cells, cardiomyocytes, neurons, and other cell types can repair injuries or regenerate damaged tissue in diseases such as diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders.
01:21Stem Cell Therapy for Tissue Regeneration
Stem cell therapy is a method used in regenerative medicine to repair and restore function to damaged tissues and organs. Stem cells have the potential to proliferate and differentiate into various tissue types, making them ideal candidates for tissue regeneration. For example, hematopoietic stem cell transplants are commonly used in blood cancer treatment to replenish damaged bone marrow and restore healthy blood cells.
Types of Stem Cells used in Stem Cell Therapy
The two main cell types that...
Types of Stem Cells used in Stem Cell Therapy
The two main cell types that...
01:13Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different types of cells. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are post-mitotic—that is, they no longer divide. However, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they “de-differentiate” and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are also pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are therefore called induced pluripotent stem...
01:06Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Somatic cells are...
Somatic cells are...
01:13Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different types of cells. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are post-mitotic—that is, they no longer divide. However, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they “de-differentiate” and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are also pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are therefore called induced pluripotent stem...