Amniotic fluid-derived stem cells for cardiovascular tissue engineering applications

Tissue Eng Part B Rev. 2013 Aug;19(4):368-79. doi: 10.1089/ten.TEB.2012.0561. Epub 2013 Mar 14.

Abstract

Recent research has demonstrated that a population of stem cells can be isolated from amniotic fluid removed by amniocentesis that are broadly multipotent and nontumorogenic. These amniotic fluid-derived stem cells (AFSC) could potentially provide an autologous cell source for treatment of congenital defects identified during gestation, particularly cardiovascular defects. In this review, the various methods of isolating, sorting, and culturing AFSC are compared, along with techniques for inducing differentiation into cardiac myocytes and endothelial cells. Although research has not demonstrated complete and high-yield cardiac differentiation, AFSC have been shown to effectively differentiate into endothelial cells and can effectively support cardiac tissue. Additionally, several tissue engineering and regenerative therapeutic approaches for the use of these cells in heart patches, injection after myocardial infarction, heart valves, vascularized scaffolds, and blood vessels are summarized. These applications show great promise in the treatment of congenital cardiovascular defects, and further studies of isolation, culture, and differentiation of AFSC will help to develop their use for tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and cardiovascular therapies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amniotic Fluid* / cytology
  • Amniotic Fluid* / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cardiovascular Abnormalities / therapy
  • Cell Culture Techniques / methods
  • Cell Differentiation*
  • Cell Separation / methods
  • Endothelial Cells* / cytology
  • Endothelial Cells* / metabolism
  • Heart Valves / cytology
  • Heart Valves / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Myocardial Infarction / therapy
  • Myocardium* / cytology
  • Myocardium* / metabolism
  • Myocytes, Cardiac* / cytology
  • Myocytes, Cardiac* / metabolism
  • Regenerative Medicine / methods
  • Stem Cells* / cytology
  • Stem Cells* / metabolism
  • Tissue Engineering / methods*