Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells and Their Application in Cell-Based Tissue Regeneration

Advances in stem cell biotechnology hold great promise in the field of tissue engineering andregenerative medicine. Of interest are marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), embryonic stemcells (ESCs), and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). In addition, amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSCs)have attracted attention as a viable choice following the search for an alternative stem cellsource. Investigators are interested in these cells because they come from the amniotic fluid that isroutinely discarded after birth. There have been multiple investigations conducted worldwide in anattempt to better understand AF-SCs in terms of their potential use in regenerative medicine. In thisreview we give a brief introduction of amniotic fluid followed by a description of the cells presentwithin this fluid. Their history related to stem cell discovery in the amniotic fluid as well as themain characteristics of AF-SCs are discussed. Finally, we elaborate on the potential for these cellsto promote regeneration of various tissue defects, including fetal tissue, the nervous system, heart,lungs, kidneys, bones, and cartilage.