Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026
08:24
The Production of Pluripotent Stem Cells from Mouse Amniotic Fluid Cells Using a Transposon System
Published on: February 28, 2017
Stem cells derived from amniotic fluid: new potentials in regenerative medicine
Mara Cananzi1, Anthony Atala, Paolo De Coppi
1Surgery Unit, UCL Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK.
Reproductive Biomedicine Online
|March 14, 2009
Summary
Human amniotic fluid cells offer new therapeutic potential beyond prenatal diagnostics. Stem cells isolated from amniotic fluid show promise for tissue engineering and treating human diseases.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Stem Cell Biology
Background:
- Human amniotic fluid cells traditionally used for prenatal genetic anomaly diagnosis.
- Recent evidence highlights therapeutic potential of fetal-derived stem cells from amniotic fluid.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the therapeutic applications of stem cells isolated from human amniotic fluid.
- To characterize the properties of mesenchymal stem cells and amniotic fluid stem cells.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and characterization of mesenchymal stem cells from amniotic fluid.
- Isolation and characterization of novel amniotic fluid stem cells.
- Assessment of stem cell differentiation potential and in vivo tumor formation.
Main Results:
- Mesenchymal stem cells exhibit high proliferation and differentiation plasticity towards mesodermal lineages.
- Amniotic fluid stem cells demonstrate pluripotent characteristics, differentiating into all three germ layers.
- Amniotic fluid stem cells do not form tumors in vivo, indicating safety.
Conclusions:
- Stem cells from amniotic fluid possess unique properties suitable for regenerative medicine.
- These stem cells present a promising, ethically sound alternative for tissue engineering and disease therapy.
Related Concept Videos
00:58Embryonic Stem Cells
Embryonic stem (ES) cells are undifferentiated pluripotent cells, meaning they can produce any cell type in the body. This gives them tremendous potential in science and medicine since they can generate specific cell types for use in research or to replace body cells lost due to damage or disease.
00:57Embryonic Stem Cells
Embryonic stem (ES) cells were first discovered in mice in 1981 by Martin Evans. In 1998, James Thomson identified a method to isolate embryonic stem cells from humans. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are obtained from 3-5 day old embryos that remain unused after an in vitro fertilization procedure.
ES cells are grown in a culture medium where they can divide indefinitely, creating ES cell lines. Under certain conditions, ES cells can differentiate, either spontaneously into a variety of...
ES cells are grown in a culture medium where they can divide indefinitely, creating ES cell lines. Under certain conditions, ES cells can differentiate, either spontaneously into a variety of...
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.
01:17Stem 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...
01:13Induced 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...