Amniotic Derived Stem Cells: Role and Function in Regenerative Medicine

Abstract

Stem cells are undifferentiated biological cells that have the ability to differentiate into any specialized cells capable of cell division through mitosis. Amniotic stem cells (ASCs) are collectively a mixture of stem cells that can be obtained from amniotic fluid and tissue. Amniotic fluid is commonly called a pregnant woman’s water. It is the protective liquid contained within the amniotic sac that lubricates the embryo or fetus that is generated by the maternal blood plasma, which is the liquid component that contains all of the blood derived cells in suspension. The amniotic fluid is absorbed through the fetal tissue and skin until the 20-25th week of pregnancy when the fetal skin begins to keratinize. This coincides with the fetal gut and its capacity to perform amniotic absorption.