Effect of autologous serum after amniotic membrane transplantation for persistent corneal ulcers

AIM:To investigate the effect of adding autologous serum eye drops to the postoperative regime after amniotic membrane transplantation for severe persistent corneal ulcers.METHODS:Forty eyes of 40 patients with persistent corneal ulcers were randomly assigned to artificial tears(sodium hyaluronate 0.2%,ATs group,n=20)or autologous serum eye drops(ASEDs,n=20)following treatment with amniotic membrane transplantation.Digital slit lamp images were acquired from all patients before and 30d post treatment.The area with fibrovascular tissue was calculated using Image J.Central corneal sensitivity was assessed by Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometry before and one month after treatment.Scar tissue transparency was assessed with a novel optical densitometry.RESULTS:Mean age of patients was 61.65±16.47y and 57.3±19.11y in the ATs group and ASEDs group,respectively.Twenty-two male and 18 female patients were included in the study.The improvement in visual acuity was significantly greater in the ASEDs group(0.14±0.04)than the ATs(0.08±0.04;P=0.00046).Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometry improved significantly after treatment with a similar rate between groups.There were no statistically significant differences in the area of postoperative fibrovascular tissue between the two groups(P=0.082).The success rate in the two groups was similar.The difference in densitometry between the ATs and ASEDs group was statistically significant(P=0.042)with greater reduction from baseline in the ASEDS group.CONCLUSION:Autologous serum eye drops can lead to better visual acuity,more stable results and improved densitometry and should be considered in the postoperative care following amniotic membrane transplantation.

Twin fetuses associated with double amniotic sacs diagnosed using transvaginal ultrasonography:A case report

BACKGROUND Conjoined twins are a rare twin malformation commonly presenting as single amniotic sac twinning,with double amniotic sac twinning being extremely rare and poorly reported.Most conjoined twins are females.CASE SUMMARY A woman of childbearing age conceived naturally,and at 8 wk of gestation,transvaginal ultrasonography showed an embryo and cardiac tube pulsation in both amniotic sacs.On dynamic observation,the two embryos were connected in the lower abdomen,with restricted movement.A repeat transvaginal ultrasound at 11 wk showed that the intestinal tubes of both fetuses were connected in the lower abdomen.The pregnancy was terminated and labor was induced.CONCLUSION Transvaginal ultrasound may detect conjoined twin malformations in an early stage.Our case provides diagnostic insights for ultrasonographers and can help develop early therapeutic interventions.

Amniotic Band Syndrome at the Van Norman Clinic in Burundi: A Case Series

Amniotic band syndrome is an acquired embryo-fetopathy. It is rare and is characterized by malformations mainly affecting the limbs but also the skull, face and thoraco-abdominal axis. Its etiopathogenesis remains poorly understood. Its diagnosis is essentially clinical and is classically based on the existence of signs such as furrows, amputations and pseudosyndactyly. To show the importance of antenatal diagnosis in resource-limited countries, we report the case of two newborns, one premature at 31 weeks and the other at term, in whom amniotic band syndrome was discovered incidentally at birth. It involved an amputation of the right leg for both cases. The premature baby was born in a context of neonatal sepsis and will succumb to the latter while the 2nd case was released from the hospital alive. Imaging examinations to search for probable congenital malformations could only be carried out for the 2nd case and no accessible congenital malformation had been identified. And as management of the disease, only psychological support to the parents was provided for the 2 cases. The antenatal discovery of a case of amniotic band syndrome in countries with low technical capacity such as Burundi should push clinicians to think in time about treatment options.

Integrated analysis of comorbidity, pregnant outcomes, and amniotic fluid cytogenetics of fetuses with persistent left superior vena cava

BACKGROUND Persistent left superior vena cava(PLSVC)is the most common venous system variant.The clinical characteristics and amniotic fluid cytogenetics of fetuses with PLSVC remain to be further explored.AIM To develop reliable prenatal diagnostic recommendations through integrated analysis of the clinical characteristics of fetuses with PLSVC.METHODS Cases of PLSVC diagnosed using prenatal ultrasonography between September 2019 and November 2022 were retrospectively studied.The clinical characteristics of the pregnant women,ultrasonic imaging information,gestational age at diagnosis,pregnancy outcomes,and amniocentesis results were summarized and analyzed using categorical statistics and the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test.RESULTS Of the 97 cases diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound,49(50.5%)had isolated PLSVC and 48(49.5%)had other structural abnormalities.The differences in pregnancy outcomes and amniocentesis conditions between the two groups were statistically significant(P<0.05).No significant differences were identified between the two groups in terms of advanced maternal age and gestational age(P>0.05).According to the results of the classification statistics,the most common intrac-ardiac abnormality was a ventricular septal defect and the most common extrac-ardiac abnormality was a single umbilical artery.In the subgroup analysis,the concurrent combination of intra-and extracardiac structural abnormalities was a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes(odds ratio>1,P<0.05).Additional-ly,all abnormal cytogenetic findings on amniocentesis were observed in the comorbidity group.One case was diagnosed with 21-trisomy and six cases was diagnosed with chromosome segment duplication.CONCLUSION Examination for other structural abnormalities is strongly recommended when PLSVC is diagnosed.Poorer pregnancy outcomes and increased amniocentesis were observed in PLSVC cases with other structural abnor-malities.Amniotic fluid cytogenetics of fetuses is recommended for PLSVC with other structural abnormalities.

Amniotic membrane mesenchymal stromal cell-derived secretome in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke:A case report

BACKGROUND Stroke is the second and third leading cause of death and disability,respectively.To date,no definitive treatment can repair lost brain function.Recently,various preclinical studies have been reported on mesenchymal stromal cells(MSCs)and their derivatives and their potential as alternative therapies for stroke.CASE SUMMARY A 45-year-old female suffered an acute stroke,which led to paralysis in the left upper and lower limbs.The amniotic membrane MSC-derived secretome(MSCsecretome)was intravenously transplanted once a week for 4 wk.MSC-secretomeregulated regulatory T cells were investigated for the beneficial effects.The clinical improvement of this patient was accompanied by an increased frequency of regulatory T cells after transplantation.CONCLUSION Intravenous administration of MSC-secretome can potentially treat patients who suffer from acute ischemic stroke.

Noninvasive Fetal Lung Maturity Prediction Based on Amniotic Fluid Turbidity Using Ultrasonic Histogram Measurement Function

Background: Amniotic fluid turbidity increases with fetal lung maturation due to vernix and lung surfactant micelles suspended in the amniotic fluid. This study focused on this phenomenon and evaluated the presence or absence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)/transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) by quantitatively assessing the brightness of the amniotic fluid turbidity using a noninvasive ultrasound histogram measurement function. Methods: We included cases of singleton pregnancies managed at the Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital between November 2020 and March 2022. Histograms of amniotic fluid turbidity were measured at the center of the amniotic fluid depth, avoiding the fetus, placenta, and umbilical cord, with the gain setting set to 0, and the average value was obtained after three measurements. Histograms of fetal urine in the bladder were measured similarly. The value obtained by subtracting the fetal bladder brightness value from the amniotic brightness value based on histogram measurements was used as the final amniotic fluid brightness value. Results: We included 118 cases (16 of RDS/TTN and 102 of control). The gestational age of delivery weeks was correlated with amniotic fluid brightness (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was 0.344;p = 0.00014). Amniotic fluid brightness values were significantly lower in the RDS/TTN group than in the control group (RDS/TTN: 16.2 ± 13.5, control: 26.3 ± 16.3;p = 0.020). The optimal cutoff value of amniotic fluid brightness to predict RDS/TTN was 20.3. For predicting RDS/TTN, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 91.7%, 69.6%, 26.2%, and 94.1%, respectively. Conclusions: The quantitative value of the amniotic fluid brightness by histogram measurements may provide an easy and objective index for evaluating the presence or absence of RDS/TTN.

Amniotic membrane transplantation: an updated clinical review for the ophthalmologist

Although amniotic membrane transplantation(AMT)has long been used as an essential surgical technique for ocular surface reconstruction,its role continues to evolve and expand.In the management of numerous ocular surface disorders,ranging from inflammatory to infectious,traumatic to neoplastic,the ability to perform AMT is a valuable addition to the skillset of any ophthalmologist.The purpose of this paper is to provide ophthalmologists with an updated,evidence-based review of the clinical indications for AMT in corneal and conjunctival reconstruction,reviewing its common and even experimental applications known to date.The methods of amniotic membrane preservation,the available commercial amniotic membrane products to date,and future directions for amniotic membrane use,including amniotic membrane extract eye drops(AMEED),are also discussed.It is paramount for ophthalmologists to stay up-to-date on the applications of AMT so as to effectively incorporate this versatile treatment modality into their practice,both in the operating room and in the clinic.By familiarizing the general ophthalmologist with its diverse applications,we hope to motivate general ophthalmologists to incorporate the use of AMT into their clinical practice,or provide guidance on how to recognize when referral to a corneal specialist for amniotic membrane application is prudent.

Amniotic fluid embolism:literature review and an integrated concept of pathomechanism

Literature concerning procoagulant activity of the amniotic fluid and pathomechanism of amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) was surveyed and a new concept of its pathogenesis, called the integrated concept of AFE, was presented. According to this concept, two components of the amniotic fluid are involved: (i) apoptosis-affected amniotic cells showing a special role in the initiation of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and (ii) leukotrienes (formerly called slow-reacting substances), inducing bronchial and pulmonary vascular smooth muscle contraction. Although each of these components initiates a different pathogenic pathway, they both lead to the formation of a mechanical barrier on blood flow through the lungs (amniotic debris + microemboli) and/or functional barrier (pulmonary vasoconstriction). An old dilemma, concerning indications for heparin therapy in AFE was recalled in the light of the new concept.

Molecular and phenotypic characterization of human amniotic fluid cells and their differentiation potential

The main goal of the study was to identify a novel source of human multipotent cells, overcoming ethical issues involved in embryonic stem cell research and the limited availability of most adult stem cells. Amniotic fluid cells （AFCs） are routinely obtained for prenatal diagnosis and can be expanded in vitro; nevertheless current knowledge about their origin and properties is limited. Twenty samples of AFCs were exposed in culture to adipogenic, osteogenic, neurogenic and myogenic media. Differentiation was evaluated using immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR and Western blotting. Before treatments, AFCs showed heterogeneous morphologies. They were negative for MyoD, Myf-5, MRF4, Myogenin and Desmin but positive for osteocalcin, PPARgamma2, GAP43, NSE, Nestin, MAP2, GFAP and beta tubulin III by RT-PCR. The cells expressed Oct-4, Rex-1 and Runx-1, which characterize the undifferentiated stem cell state. By immunocytochemistry they expressed neural-glial proteins, mesenchymal and epithelial markers. After culture, AFCs differentiated into adipocytes and osteoblasts when the predominant cellular component was fibroblastic. Early and late neuronal antigens were still present after 2 week culture in neural specific media even if no neuronal morphologies were detectable. Our results provide evidence that human amniotic fluid contains progenitor cells with multi-lineage potential showing stem and tissue-specific gene/protein presence for several lineages.

Human amniotic epithelial cell transplantation for the repair of injured brachial plexus nerve: evaluation of nerve viscoelastic properties

The transplantation of embryonic stem cells can effectively improve the creeping strength of nerves near an injury site in animals. Amniotic epithelial cells have similar biological properties as em-bryonic stem cells; therefore, we hypothesized that transplantation of amniotic epithelial cells can repair peripheral nerve injury and recover the creeping strength of the brachial plexus nerve. In the present study, a brachial plexus injury model was established in rabbits using the C6root avulsion method. A suspension of human amniotic epithelial cells was repeatedly injected over an area 4.0 mm lateral to the cephal and caudal ends of the C6 brachial plexus injury site （1 × 106 cells/mL, 3μL/injection, 25 injections） immediately after the injury. The results showed that the decrease in stress and increase in strain at 7,200 seconds in the injured rabbit C6 brachial plexus nerve were mitigated by the cell transplantation, restoring the viscoelastic stress relaxation and creep properties of the brachial plexus nerve. The forepaw functions were also signiifcantly improved at 26 weeks after injury. These data indicate that transplantation of human amniotic epithelial cells can effec-tively restore the mechanical properties of the brachial plexus nerve after injury in rabbits and that viscoelasticity may be an important index for the evaluation of brachial plexus injury in animals.

Establishment of an untransfected human corneal epithelial cell line and its biocompatibility with denuded amniotic membrane

AIM: To establish an untransfected human corneal epithelial (HCEP) cell line and characterize its biocompatibility with denuded amniotic membrane (dAM). METHODS: The torn HCEP pieces were primarily cultured in DMEM/F12 media (pH 7.2) supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum and other necessary factors, yielding an HCEP cell line which was its growth performance, chromosome morphology, tumorigenicity and expression of marker proteins analyzed. In addition, the biocompatibility of HCEP cells with dAM was evaluated through histological and immunocytochemistry analyses and with light, electron and slit-lamp microscopies. RESULTS: HCEP cells proliferated to confluence in 3 weeks, which have been subcultured to passage 160. A continuous untransfected HCEP cell line, designated as utHCEPC01, was established with a population doubling time of 45.42 hours as was determined at passage 100. The cells retained HCEP cell properties as were approved by chromosomal morphology and the expression of keratin 3. They, with no tumorigenicity, formed a multilayer epithelium-like structure on dAMs through proliferation and differentiation during air-liquid interface culture, maintained expression of marker proteins including keratin 3 and integrin p 1 and attached tightly to dAMs. The reconstructed HCEP was highly transparent and morphologically and structurally similar to the original. CONCLUSION: An untransfected and non-tumorigenic HCEP cell line was established in this study. The cells maintained expression of marker proteins. The cell line was biocompatible with dAM. It holds the potential of being used for in vitro reconstruction of tissue-engineered HCEP, promising for the treatment of diseases caused by corneal epithelial disorders.

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-loaded amniotic membrane for the repair of radial nerve injury

In this study, we loaded human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells onto human amniotic membrane with epithelial cells to prepare nerve conduits, i.e., a relatively closed nerve regeneration chamber. After neurolysis, the injured radial nerve was enwrapped with the prepared nerve conduit, which was fixed to the epineurium by sutures, with the cell on the inner surface of the conduit. Simultaneously, a 1.0 mL aliquot of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell suspension was injected into the distal and proximal ends of the injured radial nerve with 1.0 cm intervals. A total of 1.75 x 107 cells were seeded on the amniotic membrane. In the control group, patients received only neurolysis. At 12 weeks after cell transplantation, more than 80% of patients exhibited obvious improvements in muscular strength, and touch and pain sensations. In contrast, these improvements were observed only in 55-65% of control patients. At 8 and 12 weeks, muscular electrophysiological function in the region dominated by the injured radial nerve was significantly better in the transplantation group than the control group. After cell transplantation, no immunological rejections were observed. These findings suggest that human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-loaded amniotic membrane can be used for the repair of radial nerve injury.

Transformation of human amniotic epithelial cells into neuron-like cells in the microenvironment of traumatic brain injury in vivo and in vitro

Survival and differentiation of transplanted cells is closely related to the local microenvironment.The present study cultured human amniotic epithelial cells（HAECs） in a simulated microenvironment in vitro comprising RPMI 1640 culture medium and the solution extracted from injured brain tissues.Some HAECs were round,triangular in form or irregularly shaped,with extended neuron-like processes;some of the processes were interconnected,representing neuron-like morphology and some HAECs were microtubule-associated protein 2-positive.HAECs survived for at least 4 weeks following transplantation into the center and edges of the trauma focus with traumatic brain injury,and were microtubule-associated protein 2-positive.Moreover,the motor function of rat hind limbs was significantly improved.

Culture and Identification of Human Amniotic Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Objective To establish the method of isolation, purification, and identification of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs). Methods hAMSCs were isolated from human amniotic membrane by trypsin-collagenase digestion, and cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medinm/F12 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. Phenotypic characteristics of these cells were analyzed by means of immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry. Results The cells successfully isolated from human amniotic membrane expressed representative mesenchymal cell surface markers CD44, CD90, and vimentin, but not CD45. Conclusions This study establishes a potential method for isolation of hAMSCs from human amnion, in vitro culture, and identification. The isolated cells show phenotypic characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells.

In vitro tissue engineering of lamellar cornea using human amniotic epithelial cells and rabbit cornea stroma

AIM:To reconstruct the lamellar cornea using human amniotic epithelial(HAE) cells and rabbit cornea stroma in vitro using tissue engineering technology.·METHODS:Human amnia taken from uncomplicated caesarean sections were digested by collagenase to obtain HAE cells,and the cells were cultured to proliferate.Rabbit corneal epithelial cells were removed by n-heptanol to make lamellar matrix sheets.The second passage of HAE cells were cultured on the corneal stroma sheets for 1 or 2 days,then transferred to an air-liquid interface environment to culture for 2weeks.Tissue engineered lamellar cornea(TELC)morphology was observed by Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining;its ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM);corneal epithelial cell-specific keratin3 and keratin 12 were detected with immunofluorescence microscopy.·RESULTS:HAE cells grew on the rabbit corneal stroma,forming a monolayer after 1-2 days.About 4-5 layers of epithelial cells developed after 2 weeks of air-liquid interface cultivation,a result similar to normal corneal epithelium.Rabbit corneal stromal cells were significantly reduced after one week,then almost completely disappeared after 2 weeks.TEM showed desmosomes between the epithelial cells;hemidesmosomes formed between the epithelial cells and the basement membrane.SEM revealed that the HAE cells which grew on the lamellar cornea had abundant microvilli.The tissue-engineered cornea expressed keratin 3 and keratin 12,as detected by immunofluorescence assay.·CONCLUSION:Functional tissue-engineered lamellar corneal grafts can be constructed in vitro using HAE cells and rabbit corneal stroma.

Human amniotic epithelial cells combined with silk fibroin scaffold in the repair of spinal cord injury

Treatment and functional reconstruction after central nervous system injury is a major medical and social challenge. An increasing number of researchers are attempting to use neural stem cells combined with artificial scaffold materials, such as fibroin, for nerve repair. However, such approaches are challenged by ethical and practical issues. Amniotic tissue, a clinical waste product, is abundant, and amniotic epithe- lial cells are pluripotent, have low immunogenicity, and are not the subject of ethical debate. We hypothesized that amniotic epithelial cells combined with silk fibroin scaffolds would be conducive to the repair of spinal cord injury. To test this, we isolated and cultured amniotic epithelial cells, and constructed complexes of these cells and silk fibroin scaffolds. Implantation of the cell-scaffold complex into a rat model of spinal cord injury resulted in a smaller glial scar in the damaged cord tissue than in model rats that received a blank scaffold, or amniotic epithelial cells alone. In addition to a milder local immunological reaction, the rats showed less inflammatory cell infiltration at the trans- plant site, milder host-versus-graft reaction, and a marked improvement in motor function. These findings confirm that the transplantation of amniotic epithelial ceils combined with silk fibroin scaffold can promote the repair of spinal cord injury. Silk fibroin scaffold can provide a good nerve regeneration microenvironment for amniotic epithelial cells.

Strain and stress variations in the human amniotic membrane and fresh corpse autologous sciatic nerve anastomosis in a model of sciatic nerve injury

A 10-mm long sciatic nerve injury model was established in fresh normal Chinese patient cadavers. Amniotic membrane was harvested from healthy maternal placentas and was prepared into multilayered,coiled,tubular specimens.Sciatic nerve injury models were respectively anastomosed using the autologous cadaveric sciatic nerve and human amniotic membrane.Tensile test results showed that maximal loading,maximal displacement,maximal stress,and maximal strain of sciatic nerve injury models anastomosed with human amniotic membrane were greater than those in the autologous nerve anastomosis group.The strain-stress curves of the human amniotic membrane and sciatic nerves indicated exponential change at the first phase,which became elastic deformation curves at the second and third phases,and displayed plastic deformation curves at the fourth phase,at which point the specimens lost their bearing capacity.Experimental findings suggested that human amniotic membranes and autologous sciatic nerves exhibit similar stress-strain curves, good elastic properties,and certain strain and stress capabilities in anastomosis of the injured sciatic nerve.

Osteogenic differentiation of amniotic fluid mesenchymal stromal cells and their bone regeneration potential

In orthopedics, tissue engineering approach using stem cells is a valid line of treatment for patients with bone defects. In this context, mesenchymal stromal cells of various origins have been extensively studied and continue to be a matter of debate. Although mesenchymal stromal cells from bone marrow are already clinically applied, recent evidence suggests that one may use mesenchymal stromal cells from extra-embryonic tissues, such as amniotic fluid, as an innovative andadvantageous resource for bone regeneration. The use of cells from amniotic fluid does not raise ethical problems and provides a sufficient number of cells without invasive procedures. Furthermore, they do not develop into teratomas when transplanted, a consequence observed with pluripotent stem cells. In addition, their multipotent differentiation ability, low immunogenicity, and anti-inflammatory properties make them ideal candidates for bone regenerative medicine. We here present an overview of the features of amniotic fluid mesenchymal stromal cells and their potential in the osteogenic differentiation process. We have examined the papers actually available on this regard, with particular interest in the strategies applied to improve in vitro osteogenesis. Importantly, a detailed understanding of the behavior of amniotic fluid mesenchymal stromal cells and their osteogenic ability is desirable considering a feasible application in bone regenerative medicine.

Clinical outcome of combined conjunctival autograft transplantation and amniotic membrane transplantation in pterygium surgery

AIM： To compare long-term outcome of primary and recurrent pterygium surgery with three different techniques： combined conjunctival autograft and overlay amniotic membrane transplantation （CAT with AMT）, conjunctival autograft transplantation （CAT） alone and amniotic membrane transplantation （AMT） alone. METHODS： In this retrospective study, 142 eyes of 142 pterygium patients （104 primary, 38 recurrent）who underwent CAT （group A）, AMT （group B） or CAT with AMT （group C） respectively following surgical excision were reviewed and compared based on the recurrences and post-operative complications. RESULTS： The number of recurrence post-surgery were 17 （9 from primary, 8 from recurrent; the same description below）, 18 （10, 8） and 2 （1, 1） in groups A, B, and C respectively; dry eyes were 22 （16, 6）, 27 （18, 9） and 7 （3, 4）; conjunctival inflammations were 30 （17, 13）, 27 （16, 11） and 11 （6, 5）. Patients in group C （either pdmary or recurrent or both） mainly showed significantly better results than those in group A or B （P〈0.05） regarding above-mentioned clinical effects. CONCLUSION： Combined CAT and overly AMT have significantly lower rates of recurrence and postoperative complications for primary and recurrent pterygium surgery than CAT or AMT alone.

Comparison of human amniotic fluid-derived and umbilical cord Wharton＇s Jelly-derived mesenchymal stromal cells： Characterization and myocardial differentiation capacity

Objective To compare the characterization and myocardial differentiation capacity of arnniotic fluid-derived mesenchymal stromal cells （AF MSCs） and umbilical cord Wharton＇s Jelly-derived mesenchymal stromal cells （WJ MSCs）. Methods The human AF MSCs were cultured from amniotic fluid samples obtained by amniocentesis. The umbilical cord WJ MSCs were obtained from Wharton＇s Jelly of umbilical cords of infants delivered full-term by normal labor. The morphology, growth curves, and analyses by flow cytometry of cell surface markers were compared between the two types of cells. Myocardial genes （GATA-4, c-TnT, a-actin, and Cx43） were detected by real-time PCR and the corresponding protein expressions were detected by Western blot analysis after myocardial induced in AF MSCs and WJ MSCs. Results Our findings revealed AF MSCs and WJ MSCs shared similar morphological characteristics of the fibroblastoid shape. The AF MSCs were easily obtained than the WJ MSCs and had a shorter time to reach adherence of 2.7 ± 1.6 days to WJ MSCs of 6.5 ± 1.8 days. The growth curves by MTT cytotoxic assay showed the AF MSCs had a similar proliferative capacity at passage 5 and passage 10. However, the proliferative capacities ofWJ MSCs were decreased at 5 passage relative to 10 passage. Both AF stem cells and WJ stem cells had the characteristics of mesenchymal stromal cells with some characteristics of embryonic stem cells. They express CD29 and CD105, but not CD34. They were positive for Class I major histocompatibility （MHC I） antigens （HLA-ABC）, and were negative, or mildly positive, for MHC Class II （HLA-DR） antigen. Oct-4 was positive in all the two cells types. Both AF MSCs and WJ MSCs could differentiate along myocardium. The differentiation capacities were detected by the expression of GATA-4, c-TnT, a-actin, Cx43 after myocardial induction. Conclusions Both AF MSCs and WJ MSCs have the potential clinical application for myogenesis in cardiac regenerative therapy.