Uptake of dopamine by cultured monkey amniotic epithelial cells

Amniotic membrane and amniotic fluid-derived cells: potential tools for regenerative medicine?

Human amniotic membranes and amniotic fluid have attracted increasing attention in recent years as a possible reserve of stem cells that may be useful for clinical application in regenerative medicine. Many studies have been conducted to date in terms of the differentiation potential of these cells, with several reports demonstrating that cells from both the amniotic fluid and membrane display high plasticity. In addition, cells from the amniotic membrane have also been shown to display immunomodulatory characteristics both in vivo and in vitro, which could make them useful in an allotransplantation setting. Here, we provide an overview comparing the latest findings regarding the stem characteristics of cells from both the amniotic membrane and amniotic fluid, as well as on the potential utility of these cells for future clinical application in regenerative medicine.

Proliferation and stratification of keratinocyte on cultured amniotic epithelial cells for tissue engineering

Human amniotic epithelial cells (HAECs) are formed from amnioblasts, separated from the epiblast at about the 8th day after fertilization. Recent studies suggest that HAECs can produce various biologically active substances. In this study, the effects of cultured HAECs on keratinocytes were investigated. First of all, the effect of the medium conditioned by cultured HAECs on the proliferation of keratinocytes was examined. The conditioned medium significantly enhanced the proliferation (P<0.05). Next, the effect of co-culture with HAECs was also examined. The keratinocytes formed a stratified epithelium on day 7 after the start of co-culture. The cultured epithelium formed by the co-culture was five to six layers thick, could be detached by dispase treatment, and had sufficient strength as a sheet. These results suggest that HAECs will be a novel supplemental material for the tissue engineering of skin.