Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026
10:00
In Vitro Culture of Epithelial Cells from Different Anatomical Regions of the Human Amniotic Membrane
Published on: November 28, 2019
Human amnion-derived cells as a reliable source of stem cells
1Center for Stem Cell and Tissue Regeneration, Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, San Ming District, 807Kaohsiung, Taiwan. saict1@maple.ocn.ne.jp
Current Molecular Medicine
|September 29, 2012
Summary
Human amnion-derived cells are multipotent stem cells with potential for regenerative medicine. These cells can be reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells, offering therapeutic promise for neural disorders, aging, and heart disease.
Area of Science:
- Stem Cell Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Human amnion-derived cells exhibit multipotent stem cell characteristics.
- These cells express key embryonic stem cell markers.
- They demonstrate differentiation potential across germ layers in vitro and in vivo.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in human amnion-derived multipotent stem cells.
- To explore their potential applications in regenerative medicine.
- To highlight their utility in treating neural disorders, aging, and heart disease.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of human amnion-derived cells for stem cell markers (Oct4, Nanog, Sox2, SSEA-3, SSEA-4, Rex1).
- Assessment of in vitro and in vivo differentiation capabilities.
- Generation of induced pluripotent stem cells via transcription factor delivery (viral or electroporation).
Main Results:
- Human amnion-derived cells express crucial pluripotency markers.
- Successful differentiation into multiple germ layers has been demonstrated.
- Efficient reprogramming into induced pluripotent stem cells is achievable.
Conclusions:
- Human amnion-derived cells are a promising source for pluripotent stem cells due to availability and lower genetic aberration risk.
- Their potential for reprogramming and differentiation makes them ideal for therapeutic applications.
- These cells hold significant promise for stem cell biology and regenerative medicine across various diseases.
Related Concept Videos
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...
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.
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...
01:27Source And Potency Of Stem Cells
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells with extensive self-renewal properties that help them maintain their population during the fetal and adult stages of life. They can specialize in all cell types of the human body. However, their differential potential may vary and can be classified into five types. Stem cells can be (1) Totipotent, (2) Pluripotent, (3) Multipotent, (4) Oligopotent, and (5) Unipotent. Each stem cell has a specific origin; the fertilized egg or zygote is a totipotent cell and...