ABSTRACT

Human amnion epithelial cells (hAECs) perform several important functions during development, including storage of glycogen, production and metabolism of hormones or drugs, and transport of nutrients in and out of the amniotic fluid. Successful preclinical studies have shown that transplanted hAECs acquire sufficient hepatocyte-like functions to rescue several congenital metabolic liver diseases. The human placenta is commonly recognized for important functions such as nutrition, respiration, and excretion, in addition to important feto-maternal tolerance. The amnion is the thin membrane portion of the placenta that surrounds the baby during development. Isolated amnion-derived cells have already been successfully transplanted more than 30 years ago into normal volunteers without any signs of rejection or tumor formation. Human amnion epithelial cells have also been found to secrete anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive factors that inhibited inflammation and reduced the proliferation of T and B cells in vitro.