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Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aug 2014Amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cells (AF-MSCs) are promising candidates for cell-based therapy. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the features and... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cells (AF-MSCs) are promising candidates for cell-based therapy. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the features and therapeutic applications of these cells.
METHODS
This is a literature review combined with experience of practice.
CONCLUSION
Although the long-term risks of AF-MSCs require further investigation, these cells are increasing in popularity in the fields of regenerative medicine and targeting therapy because of their unique properties.
Topics: Amniotic Fluid; Cell Differentiation; Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy; Female; Humans; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Pregnancy
PubMed: 24744053
DOI: 10.1007/s00404-014-3231-7 -
The Journal of Maternal-fetal &... Jan 2022neurologic injury in myelomeningocele (MMC) occurs via a two-hit process: failed neural tube closure followed by neurodegeneration . Meconium in the amniotic fluid...
BACKGROUND
neurologic injury in myelomeningocele (MMC) occurs via a two-hit process: failed neural tube closure followed by neurodegeneration . Meconium in the amniotic fluid contains pancreatic digestive enzymes and is neurotoxic in rat models of MMC.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study were to demonstrate the neurotoxicity of α-amylase and to compare the enzyme concentration and activity in the amniotic fluid of rats with retinoic acid induced MMC to a healthy control population.
STUDY DESIGN
Timed pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were gavage fed all-trans retinoic acid (60 mg/kg) in olive oil on gestational day E10 to induce a MMC defect. Control rats received olive oil. Amniotic fluid was collected on embryonic days E15, E17, E19, and E21. The amniotic fluid amylase concentration and relative activity were measured at each gestational age, and levels were compared between the MMC and control groups using Wilcoxon Rank Sum and Kruskal-Wallis tests. In a subset of dams sacrificed on E10.5, neuroepithelial cells were isolated from control embryos and exposed to α-amylase in increasing concentrations. Percentage of cell survival was assessed with CellProfiler software.
RESULTS
Amniotic fluid amylase activity for embryonic days E15, E17, E19, and E21 was determined for MMC and control pups. Amylase activity increased significantly from E15 to E21 in both control ( = 3.0 × 10) and MMC ( = 1.5 × 10) groups. Relative amylase activity was significantly increased in MMC pups compared to controls on E19 (247,792.8 versus 106,263.6; = .0019) and E21 (772,645.8 versus 481,975.3; = .021); no difference was detected on E15 (36,646.8 versus 40,179.3; = .645) or E17 (121,617.5 versus 71,750; = 1.000). , amylase demonstrated dose-dependent toxicity to fetal rat neuroepithelial cells.
CONCLUSION
Amylase concentration and activity level were higher in the amniotic fluid of rats with retinoic acid induced MMC compared to controls with advancing gestational age. As amylase is toxic to neural epithelial cells, the higher activity of this digestive enzyme in fetuses with MMC may be a contributor to neural tube damage . Future research should focus on amylase and other digestive enzymes in human MMC, as they may serve as potential targets of therapy.
Topics: Amniotic Fluid; Amylases; Animals; Female; Meningomyelocele; Pregnancy; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Tretinoin
PubMed: 31910702
DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2020.1713082 -
Scientific Reports Feb 2023The intra-uterine components of labor, namely, myometrial contractility, cervical ripening, and decidua/membrane activation, have been extensively characterized and...
The intra-uterine components of labor, namely, myometrial contractility, cervical ripening, and decidua/membrane activation, have been extensively characterized and involve a local pro-inflammatory milieu of cellular and soluble immune mediators. Targeted profiling has demonstrated that such processes extend to the intra-amniotic space, yet unbiased analyses of the proteome of human amniotic fluid during labor are lacking. Herein, we utilized an aptamer-based platform to characterize 1,310 amniotic fluid proteins and found that the proteome undergoes substantial changes with term labor (251 proteins with differential abundance, q < 0.1, and fold change > 1.25). Proteins with increased abundance in labor are enriched for immune and inflammatory processes, consistent with prior reports of labor-associated changes in the intra-uterine space. By integrating the amniotic fluid proteome with previously generated placental-derived single-cell RNA-seq data, we demonstrated the labor-driven upregulation of signatures corresponding to stromal-3 and decidual cells. We also determined that changes in amniotic fluid protein abundance are reflected in the maternal plasma proteome. Collectively, these findings provide novel insights into the amniotic fluid proteome in term labor and support its potential use as a source of biomarkers to distinguish between true and false labor by using maternal blood samples.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Amniotic Fluid; Proteome; Obstetric Labor, Premature; Placenta; Biomarkers
PubMed: 36823217
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28157-3 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2019In recent years, great interest has been devoted to finding alternative sources for human stem cells which can be easily isolated, ideally without raising ethical... (Review)
Review
In recent years, great interest has been devoted to finding alternative sources for human stem cells which can be easily isolated, ideally without raising ethical objections. These stem cells should furthermore have a high proliferation rate and the ability to differentiate into all three germ layers. Amniotic fluid, ordinarily discarded as medical waste, is potentially such a novel source of stem cells, and these amniotic fluid derived stem cells are currently gaining a lot of attention. However, further information will be required about the properties of these cells before they can be used for therapeutic purposes. For example, the risk of tumor formation after cell transplantation needs to be explored. The tumor suppressor protein p53, well known for its activity in controlling Cell Prolif.eration and cell death in differentiated cells, has more recently been found to be also active in amniotic fluid stem cells. In this review, we summarize the major findings about human amniotic fluid stem cells since their discovery, followed by a brief overview of the important role played by p53 in embryonic and adult stem cells. In addition, we explore what is known about p53 in amniotic fluid stem cells to date, and emphasize the need to investigate its role, particularly in the context of cell tumorigenicity.
Topics: Amniotic Fluid; Animals; Cell Differentiation; Embryonic Stem Cells; Humans; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
PubMed: 31067653
DOI: 10.3390/ijms20092236 -
Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey Aug 2015Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare but severe emergency in obstetrics. The aim of the present study was to investigate the pathophysiology of AFE. (Review)
Review
PROBLEM
Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare but severe emergency in obstetrics. The aim of the present study was to investigate the pathophysiology of AFE.
METHODS
A search was conducted between 1966 and 2014 through the English-language literature (online MEDLINE PubMed database) using the keyword amniotic fluid embolism combined with anaphylaxis, anaphylactoid, complement activation, mast cells, fetal antigens, and idiosyncratic.
RESULTS
Amniotic fluid embolism is a rare clinical entity but a severe obstetric emergency that can be lethal even in previously healthy women in labor or in the early postpartum period. There appears to be at least 2 mechanisms. First, adverse reactions in AFE are usually unexpected and fetal antigen dose dependent. Given the disastrous entry of amniotic fluid into the maternal circulation, they experience a sudden cardiopulmonary collapse (mechanical obstruction subtype). Second, anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions of the remaining AFE are also relatively unexpected and fetal antigen dose independent and can occur at the first exposure to amniotic fluid components. They are associated with complement activation and subsequent postpartum hemorrhage. Cardiac mast cells constitute a central pathogenesis of anaphylactic (immunoglobulin E-dependent) and anaphylactoid (immunoglobulin E-independent) reactions.
CONCLUSIONS
Recent immunologic studies provide a new approach to the study of the pathophysiology of AFE.
Topics: Adult; Amniotic Fluid; Anaphylaxis; Embolism, Amniotic Fluid; Female; Histocompatibility, Maternal-Fetal; Humans; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy
PubMed: 26314236
DOI: 10.1097/OGX.0000000000000197 -
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Sep 2021Amniotic fluid (AF) provides vital information on fetal development, which is also valuable in identifying fetal abnormalities during pregnancy. However, the... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
Amniotic fluid (AF) provides vital information on fetal development, which is also valuable in identifying fetal abnormalities during pregnancy. However, the relationship between the metabolic profile of AF in the second trimester of a normal pregnancy with several maternal-fetal parameters remains poorly understood, which therefore limits its application in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to explore the association between the metabolic profile of AF with fetal gender, maternal age, and gestational week using an untargeted metabolomics method.
METHODS
A total of 114 AF samples were analyzed in this study. Clinical data on fetal gender, maternal age, and gestational week of these samples were collected. Samples were analyzed by gas chromatography/time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (GC-TOF/MS). Principal component analysis(PCA), orthogonal partial least square discrimination analysis(OPLS-DA) or partial least square discrimination analysis (PLS-DA) were conducted to compare metabolic profiles, and differential metabolites were obtained by univariate analysis.
RESULTS
Both PCA and OPLS-DA demonstrated no significant separation trend between the metabolic profiles of male and female fetuses, and there were only 7 differential metabolites. When the association between the maternal age on AF metabolic profile was explored, both PCA and PLS-DA revealed that the maternal age in the range of 21 to 40 years had no significant effect on the metabolic profile of AF, and only four different metabolites were found. There was no significant difference in the metabolic profiles of AF from fetuses of 17-22 weeks, and 23 differential metabolites were found.
CONCLUSIONS
In the scope of our study, there was no significant correlation between the AF metabolic profile and the fetal gender, maternal age and gestational week of a small range. Nevertheless, few metabolites appeared differentially expressed.
Topics: Adult; Amniotic Fluid; China; Female; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Gestational Age; Humans; Male; Maternal Age; Metabolomics; Pregnancy; Sex Determination Processes; Young Adult
PubMed: 34537001
DOI: 10.1186/s12884-021-04116-6 -
Journal of Mother and Child Dec 2020Prolonged labour can lead to postpartum complications and adverse outcomes for both mother and baby. Measurable parameters can help in the active management of labour,... (Review)
Review
Prolonged labour can lead to postpartum complications and adverse outcomes for both mother and baby. Measurable parameters can help in the active management of labour, timely diagnosis of dystocia and in the choice of the method of delivery. Progressive uterine contractions are necessary to complete labour successfully. Myometrial fatigue during prolonged labour causes a change from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism, resulting in an accumulation of intramuscular lactic acid and probably a subsequent increase in amniotic fluid lactate concentration. High amniotic fluid lactate level has been associated with ineffective uterine contractions leading to labour arrest. A considerable number of studies conducted so far indicate that the level of lactate in amniotic fluid may be a new non-invasive diagnostic tool for early prediction of prolonged labour and the need for immediate obstetric intervention. Low amniotic fluid lactate level may facilitate a decision to continue vaginal labour by oxytocin augmentation. A high level of amniotic fluid lactate is associated with surgical obstetric procedures. Measuring amniotic fluid lactate level might simplify the patient's allocation to a group, which will benefit from the administration of oxytocin and to a group that will not benefit from further prolongation of labour. This study aimed to briefly review current knowledge on amniotic fluid lactate concentrations measured using standard biochemical methods during the first stage of labour following normal pregnancy, as a possible diagnostic tool for prolonged labour. For this purpose, PubMed, EMBASE, Medline (1990 to July 2020) trials register and reference lists of relevant articles were searched.
Topics: Amniotic Fluid; Female; Humans; Lactic Acid; Obstetric Labor Complications; Oxytocics; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Time Factors
PubMed: 33470958
DOI: 10.34763/jmotherandchild.20202403.2027.d-20-00011 -
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton,... 2019Amniotic fluid, the fetal-protective liquid that fills the amniotic sac, represents a rich source of biomarkers. The diagnostic utility of amniotic fluid relies on the...
Amniotic fluid, the fetal-protective liquid that fills the amniotic sac, represents a rich source of biomarkers. The diagnostic utility of amniotic fluid relies on the highly abundant maternal and fetal nucleic acid and proteomic content, which allows for the simultaneous determination of mother and fetal health status. Extracellular vesicles (ECVs) that are released by all cells and found in amniotic fluid could be harnessed to provide substantial clinically actionable data. ECVs are mediators of critical biological functions and reflect the health of the parent cell. Thus, ECVs released from cells in distress may provide important diagnostic information. Here, we describe a straightforward and optimized method for isolating ECVs from amniotic fluid. In addition, we validate our procedure through western blotting using antibodies targeting canonical ECV protein markers and via direct visualization using transmission electron microscopy.
Topics: Amniotic Fluid; Biomarkers; Cell Fractionation; Exosomes; Extracellular Vesicles; Female; Humans; Pregnancy
PubMed: 30506205
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8889-1_19 -
International Journal of Molecular... Dec 2017Water is the major component of cells and tissues, and the movement of water across the cell membrane is a fundamental property of life. Until the discovery of the first... (Review)
Review
Water is the major component of cells and tissues, and the movement of water across the cell membrane is a fundamental property of life. Until the discovery of the first water channel, aquaporin, it was long assumed that the transport of water was due to simple diffusion through the lipid bilayer membrane that encloses cells. Aquaporin (AQP) molecules were first discovered in the human uterus in 1994, and since then several studies have investigated these channels in the female reproductive system. The expressions of AQPs have been proven in the reproductive system. Their levels are altered during the implantation process, both in the uterus and the fetal cells, and participate in the control of the flow of amniotic fluid. They seem to be very important for the normal placental functions. AQPs are present during parturition, participating in the control of pregnant myometrial contractions and cervical ripening. However, most of the physiological and regulatory roles of AQPs are not clarified in the reproductive tract. Furthermore, no satisfactory knowledge is available about their sensitivities to different drugs. AQP-selective ligands may contribute to the development of new drug candidates and the therapy of several reproductive disorders.
Topics: Amniotic Fluid; Animals; Aquaporins; Female; Gene Expression Regulation; Genitalia, Female; Humans; Ligands; Parturition; Pregnancy
PubMed: 29194396
DOI: 10.3390/ijms18122593 -
Nature Communications Nov 2023Fetal biometry and amniotic fluid volume assessments are two essential yet repetitive tasks in fetal ultrasound screening scans, aiding in the detection of potentially...
Fetal biometry and amniotic fluid volume assessments are two essential yet repetitive tasks in fetal ultrasound screening scans, aiding in the detection of potentially life-threatening conditions. However, these assessment methods can occasionally yield unreliable results. Advances in deep learning have opened up new avenues for automated measurements in fetal ultrasound, demonstrating human-level performance in various fetal ultrasound tasks. Nevertheless, the majority of these studies are retrospective in silico studies, with a limited number including African patients in their datasets. In this study we developed and prospectively assessed the performance of deep learning models for end-to-end automation of fetal biometry and amniotic fluid volume measurements. These models were trained using a newly constructed database of 172,293 de-identified Moroccan fetal ultrasound images, supplemented with publicly available datasets. the models were then tested on prospectively acquired video clips from 172 pregnant people forming a consecutive series gathered at four healthcare centers in Morocco. Our results demonstrate that the 95% limits of agreement between the models and practitioners for the studied measurements were narrower than the reported intra- and inter-observer variability among expert human sonographers for all the parameters under study. This means that these models could be deployed in clinical conditions, to alleviate time-consuming, repetitive tasks, and make fetal ultrasound more accessible in limited-resource environments.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Amniotic Fluid; Retrospective Studies; Deep Learning; Automation; Biometry
PubMed: 37923713
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42438-5