Open AccessFetal stem cells from extra‐embryonic tissues: do not discard
Author(s) -
Marcus Akiva J.,
Woodbury Dale
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of cellular and molecular medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.44
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1582-4934
pISSN - 1582-1838
DOI - 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2008.00221.x
Subject(s) - embryonic stem cell , stem cell , adult stem cell , biology , kosr , amniotic epithelial cells , microbiology and biotechnology , fetus , immunology , pregnancy , genetics , gene
• Stem cells – an abridged history • Fetal stem cells • Amniotic fluid • Wharton's jelly • Placenta • Amniotic membrane • Summary and conclusionsAbstract Stem cells hold promise to treat diseases currently unapproachable, including Parkinson's disease, liver disease and diabetes. Seminal research has demonstrated the ability of embryonic and adult stem cells to differentiate into clinically useful cell types in vitro and in vivo . More recently, the potential of fetal stem cells derived from extra‐embryonic tissues has been investigated. Fetal stem cells are particularly appealing for clinical applications. The cells are readily isolated from tissues normally discarded at birth, avoiding ethical concerns that plague the isolation embryonic stem cells. Extra‐embryonic tissues are large, potentially increasing the number of stem cells that can be extracted. Lastly, the generation and sequestration of cells that form extra‐embryonic tissues occurs early in development and may endow resident stem cell populations with enhanced potency. In this review we summarize recent work examining the plasticity and clinical potential of fetal stem cells isolated from extra‐embryonic tissues.