Therapeutic potential of placenta-derived stem cells for liver diseases: current status and perspectives.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review summarizing preclinical mechanisms and animal models with no new human data
PubMed 24245961 · doi:10.1111/jog.12213
What was done
This narrative review summarizes preclinical research and literature regarding the therapeutic utility, biological properties, and potential clinical translation of placenta-derived stem cells—particularly amniotic epithelial cells—for treating liver diseases.
What was found
The abstract reports no quantitative values or statistical effect sizes. It qualitatively reports that amniotic epithelial cells differentiate into all three germ layers, maintain genetic stability without forming tumors after transplantation, possess immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, and demonstrate therapeutic efficacy across multiple rodent and human-cell animal models of liver disease.
Why it matters
Placenta-derived stem cells offer an ethically accessible, biologically stable alternative to embryonic stem cells for developing cell-based liver regenerative therapies.
Limits
The abstract describes preclinical and animal models rather than human clinical trials. The exact biological mechanisms driving therapeutic outcomes remain incompletely understood, and no quantitative data are provided.
Cited by
- supports The human placenta is a rich source of pluripotent stem cells that can differentiate into heart, liver, or brain cells.