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Amnion Epithelial Cells — a Therapeutic Source

  • Prenatal Therapies (W Peranteau, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

In this review, we will explore the clinical and commercial focus on amniotic membranes (AMs) and their use in tissue engineering (TE). We will showcase the therapeutic potential of AM-isolated epithelial cells (hAECs) and the prospective use of their secreted factors, extracellular vesicles (EVs), in cell and non-cell therapies.

Recent Findings

The potential of the hAECs as a therapeutic source has been investigated in various preclinical models with some progressing into phase I clinical trials to evaluate their safety. Additionally, multiple animal studies showcase the therapeutic potential of EVs as non-cellular treatments.

Summary

The amniotic membrane (AM) has been used as a form of regenerative medicine in wound healing for burns and ulcerated surfaces and in ophthalmology for over a century. In the last few decades, research has looked to the use of the various stem cells that can be isolated from the AM. The use of AM-isolated hAECs has proven rather promising with phase I clinical trials currently underway across life-threatening diseases in both pediatric and adult populations. However, due to limitations of using cell-based therapies (e.g., cost of production, delivery restricted to major hospitals, etc.), attention has turned to investigating EVs secreted by the cells.

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Acknowledgements

Figures 1 and 2 were created with BioRender.com.

RHMS is supported by NHMRC project grant GNT1144265. MG is supported by an MRFF Stem Cell Mission grant. DZ is supported by NHMRC project grant GNT1141946. GDM is supported by the Rebecca L. Cooper Medical Research Foundation. RL is supported by an NHMRC career development fellowship. This work is supported by the Victorian Government’s Operational Infrastructure Support Program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia

    Renate H. M. Schwab, Mihiri Goonetilleke, Dandan Zhu, Gina D. Kusuma, Euan M. Wallace & Rebecca Lim

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Renate H. M. Schwab, Dandan Zhu, Gina D. Kusuma, Euan M. Wallace & Rebecca Lim

  3. Center for Inflammatory Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Mihiri Goonetilleke & William Sievert

  4. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Monash Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    William Sievert

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Renate H. M. Schwab and Mihiri Goonetilleke are joint first authors.

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Schwab, R.H.M., Goonetilleke, M., Zhu, D. et al. Amnion Epithelial Cells — a Therapeutic Source. Curr Stem Cell Rep 7, 13–29 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40778-021-00187-5

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