Placental and pregnancy stem cells

Abstract

The placenta may prove to be a non-controversial source of hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as well as endothelial progenitor cells. A "cocktail" of these three elements might be used in future to treat hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in the peripartum period for neuroregeneration, and a combination of these cells might also be used to treat one of the more than 80 diseases that have responded to stem cell transplantation (Table 1.1). Furthermore, these cells have the potential to treat degenerative diseases (e.g., heart disease), endocrine disorders (e.g., diabetes), and neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., stroke, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and spinal cord injuries). These cells may also be useful in the treatment of orthopedic problems. © Springer-Verlag London Limited 2009.