Amniotic fluid-derived cells: An autologous cell source for cardiovascular tissue engineering

Abstract

Amniotic fluid-derived cells represent a promising autologous cell source for treatment of cardiovascular diseases, in particular congenital valvular heart defects detected prior to birth. Prenatally accessible via low-risk procedures, amniotic fluid has shown to be a source of multipotent, immature and non-tumorigenic mesenchymal stem cells. In order to overcome current therapeutic limitations, the combination of the appropriate cell source with tissue engineering approaches would allow the replacement of diseased tissue structures with prenatal autologous in vitro engineered constructs. In this regard, amniotic fluid-derived stem cells have shown to generate living autologous heart valve leaflets in vitro with a functional endothelial layer and mechanical properties comparable to the native heart leaflets. Successful in vivo translation of amniotic fluid cell-based engineered heart valves into the ovine fetal model has also been achieved. Therefore, amniotic fluid represents a promising fetal cell source for potential future therapeutic applications; however, careful in vivo assessment is mandatory prior to first clinical applications.