PERINATAL STEM CELLS

Question 1

Give me an introduction about the perinatal stem cells

Answer 1

What are the perinatal stem cells
From which kinds of tissues we can isolate them: placenta and other extra-embryonic annexes
Their general characteristics

Question 2

General introduction about the three main sources of perinatal stem cells

Answer 2

Amniotic fluid: concentrated fluid in which the waste materials of the fetus are accumulated during the pregnancy, mechanical duty to protect the fetus from the external insults. Amniocentesis
Placenta: maternal and fetal parts, division in the different layers
Umbilical cord: function of physical link, anatomical structure with blood component and stromal component

Question 3

Let’s talk about the perinatal stem cells that we can obtain from the placenta

Answer 3

Amniotic epithelial cells
Amniotic MSC
Chorionic MSC

Question 4

Umbilical cord stem progenitor cells

Answer 4

Introduction about the umbilical cord, perinatal derivative collected at the end of the pregnancy (waste material)
We can get progenitor cells from different counterparts: the most important are the WJ-MSC (comparison with the BM-MSC), UC-MSC and the CB-HSC (talk about their use in HSC transplantation in pediatric patients)

Question 5

Amniotic fluid derived stem cells

Answer 5

Introduction about the amniotic fluid, how it can be collected and why can talk about fetal source
Main properties of the amniotic fluid derived stem cells
In vitro cardiogenic potential
In vivo regenerative potential in spinal muscle atrophy mouse models
Source of IPSCs
In utero therapy: pre-clinical studies for diseases affecting the hematopoiesis