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Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Intravenous and Intra-amniotic In Utero Transplantation in the Murine Model
Published on: October 9, 2018
Prenatal stem cell transplantation and gene therapy.
Matthew T Santore1, Jessica L Roybal, Alan W Flake
1Department of Surgery, Children's Center for Fetal Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Abramson Research Building, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4318, USA.
In utero hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (IUHCT) is a promising prenatal stem cell therapy. This approach, using adult stem cells, shows potential for inducing donor-specific tolerance in fetuses.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Hematology
- Immunology
Background:
- Prenatal stem cell therapy offers potential for treating congenital diseases.
- In utero hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (IUHCT) is a leading candidate for fetal stem cell applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss in utero hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (IUHCT) as a paradigm for prenatal stem cell therapy.
- To focus on the use of adult hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from bone marrow (BM) or peripheral blood (PB) for IUHCT.
- To review experimental evidence supporting IUHCT's ability to induce donor-specific tolerance.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing experimental data on IUHCT.
- Focus on adult HSCs from bone marrow (BM) or peripheral blood (PB) as the primary stem cell source.
- Analysis of studies demonstrating tolerance induction post-transplantation.
Main Results:
- In utero hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (IUHCT) is identified as the most probable initial application of fetal stem cell therapy.
- Adult HSCs from bone marrow (BM) or peripheral blood (PB) are proposed as the likely source for early IUHCT applications.
- Experimental data support the capacity of IUHCT to establish donor-specific tolerance in the fetal recipient.
Conclusions:
- In utero hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (IUHCT) using adult HSCs represents a viable and promising approach for prenatal stem cell therapy.
- The induction of donor-specific tolerance is a key outcome supported by experimental evidence, paving the way for future clinical applications.
- This approach holds significant potential for managing fetal conditions requiring stem cell-based interventions.
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