A new type of stem cell has been identified that has some of the best characteristics of both tissue-specific (adult) and embryonic stem cells. De Coppi et al. report that they have derived a new line of stem cells from the amniotic fluid, called Amniotic Fluid Stem cells or AFS cells. The amniotic fluid, which cushions the fetus as it grows in the uterus, contains a variety of cells sloughed off in the normal course of development by the growing fetus. Sampling of the amniotic fluid, and genetic analysis of the cells floating in it, has long been an approach used for prenatal diagnosis of certain genetic disorders.
Within the amniotic fluid there are cells that have the properties of stem cells; these AFS cells can self-renew and are ?multi-potent?, that is, able to develop into several different types of cell including those with liver, bone and neural characteristics. While they may not prove to have the full potential of the embryonic stem cell that can become any type of cell from the body, they appear to be much less restricted than tissue-specific (adult) stem cells.
As these cells are readily grown from the amniotic fluid and have the capability to become a range of cell types, the authors conclude that these cells may offer an easily reached source of cells that could be used to develop certain cell replacement therapies. It must be noted, however, that the research is at an early stage and any potential therapies using these cells are many years away.
These cells offer a complementary--not an alternative--approach to embryonic stem cell research. As the authors themselves comment, all cells have their strengths and it is important to study many cell types to determine what works best for different applications.
http://www.isscr.org/public/briefings/amniotic.htm
Within the amniotic fluid there are cells that have the properties of stem cells; these AFS cells can self-renew and are ?multi-potent?, that is, able to develop into several different types of cell including those with liver, bone and neural characteristics. While they may not prove to have the full potential of the embryonic stem cell that can become any type of cell from the body, they appear to be much less restricted than tissue-specific (adult) stem cells.
As these cells are readily grown from the amniotic fluid and have the capability to become a range of cell types, the authors conclude that these cells may offer an easily reached source of cells that could be used to develop certain cell replacement therapies. It must be noted, however, that the research is at an early stage and any potential therapies using these cells are many years away.
These cells offer a complementary--not an alternative--approach to embryonic stem cell research. As the authors themselves comment, all cells have their strengths and it is important to study many cell types to determine what works best for different applications.
http://www.isscr.org/public/briefings/amniotic.htm