Open AccessClinical perspective on the use of human amniotic epithelial cells to treat congenital metabolic diseases with a focus on maple syrup urine disease
Author(s) -
Takano Chika,
Grubbs Brendan H.,
Ishige Mika,
Ogawa Erika,
Morioka Ichiro,
Hayakawa Satoshi,
Miki Toshio
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
stem cells translational medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.781
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 2157-6580
pISSN - 2157-6564
DOI - 10.1002/sctm.20-0225
Subject(s) - maple syrup urine disease , disease , medicine , economic shortage , stem cell , regenerative medicine , transplantation , intensive care medicine , amniotic epithelial cells , stem cell therapy , bioinformatics , pathology , embryonic stem cell , adult stem cell , biology , biochemistry , leucine , amino acid , gene , linguistics , philosophy , genetics , government (linguistics)
Congenital metabolic diseases are a group of hereditary disorders caused by the deficiency of a single specific enzyme activity. Without appropriate therapy, affected patients suffer severe neurologic disability and eventual death. The current mainstays of management attempt to slow disease progression, but are not curative. Several of these diseases have demonstrated significant benefits from liver transplantation; however, this approach is limited by the morbidity associated with this invasive procedure and a shortage of donor organs. Therefore, there is a need to establish a new strategy for improving the quality of a life for these patients. One potential solution is regenerative therapy using hepatocytes generated from stem cells. Herein, we discuss pertinent issues necessary for clinical application of the human amniotic epithelial cell, a type of placental stem cell. Focusing on maple syrup urine disease as an example, where liver replacement is an effective therapy, we explore this approach from a clinician's perspective.