Amnion epithelial cells for lung diseases

Amnion epithelial cells, dervied from the amnion fetal membranes, are pluripotnent and imunomodulatory. They ave been shown to both prevent and repair acute lung injury in a number of diverse experimental models. They are readily isolated from term placentae in sufficient numbers suitable for clinical application. They also have a number of features that make them particularly attractive as a future cell therapy including being immune-privileged and nontumorigenic. This chapter reviews the use of amnion epithelial cells as a cell therapy for lung injury, addressing likely mechanisms of action and future clinical trials.