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The Production of Pluripotent Stem Cells from Mouse Amniotic Fluid Cells Using a Transposon System
Published on: February 28, 2017
Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells in Birth Defects: Integrated Roles in Disease Modeling, Prenatal Diagnosis, and Therapy
Yuanhang Zhu1, Xinyue Zhao2, Zhongchen Hou2
1Department of Medical Genetics and Prenatal Diagnostics, Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan Province, P.R. China.
Stem Cell Reviews and Reports
|May 27, 2026
Summary
Amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSCs) offer a promising approach for fetal medicine, aiding in disease modeling, prenatal diagnosis, and therapeutic interventions for birth defects. Their regenerative potential supports innovative prevention and treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Fetal Medicine
- Stem Cell Biology
Background:
- Birth defects present a major global health challenge, necessitating advancements in prenatal diagnostics and therapeutics.
- Amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSCs) are a promising cell source due to their unique biological characteristics and regenerative potential.
- Current strategies for managing birth defects require innovative solutions for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSCs) and their applications in fetal medicine.
- To synthesize the biological properties, repair mechanisms, and clinical applications of AFSCs.
- To discuss the potential of AFSCs in disease modeling, prenatal diagnosis, and therapeutic interventions for birth defects.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on AFSCs in fetal medicine.
- Analysis of AFSC biological characteristics, including origin, heterogeneity, markers, and influencing factors.
- Examination of AFSC mechanisms of tissue repair (homing/engraftment, paracrine, and extracellular vesicle-mediated actions).
- Systematic review of AFSC applications in disease modeling (iPSCs, organoids), prenatal diagnosis (fetal microchimerism, cfDNA), and therapeutics (TRASCET, EV administration).
Main Results:
- AFSCs possess distinct biological properties influenced by gestational and pathological factors.
- AFSCs exert tissue repair through direct engraftment and potent paracrine/EV-mediated actions.
- AFSCs show significant potential in disease modeling, refining prenatal diagnostics, and treating various fetal conditions preclinically.
- Transamniotic stem cell therapy (TRASCET) and EV administration are promising therapeutic routes.
Conclusions:
- AFSCs represent a transformative, unified platform for advancing fetal medicine and addressing birth defects.
- Their ethical sourcing, accessibility, and regenerative capabilities position them for innovative prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies.
- Further research is needed to overcome standardization hurdles and knowledge gaps for full clinical translation.
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