Centre for Reproduction & Development

Placental stem cells

Lab head: Dr Ursula Manuelpillai

Recently, Dr Manuelpillai's team showed that human amnion epithelial cells (hAECs) display features of pluripotent / multipotent stem cells and transdifferentiate into several lineages derived from each of primary germ layers in vitro. Unlike adult tissue stem cells, hAECs are highly abundant and easily obtained from term delivered placenta without the need for invasive procedures. The application of hAECs in tissue regeneration and repair forms the major focus of the team's work.  

hAECs and cellular therapy
Hepatic cirrhosis and chronic lung disorders represent major global health burdens. In both cases there is extensive cellular damage, inflammation and fibrosis. Using mouse models characteristic of these human diseases, we are studying if hAECs can transdifferentiate and replace the lost tissues in vivo. Our data from murine lungs shows significant pneumocyte replacement by hAECs, while studies into hepatocyte replacement are currently underway.

Factors that influence hAEC migration, engraftment, proliferation, transdifferentiation, cellular fusion and effects on host cell niches are also being studied. Extending our preliminary findings that hAEC transplantation reduces inflammation and fibrosis, the effect of hAECs on cellular and molecular pathways regulating inflammation and fibrosis are being investigated. These studies are carried out in collaboration with Dept. of Medicine, Monash University and Dept. of Respiratory Medicine, Monash Medical Centre.

hAEC transplantation  and host immune responses
We showed that transdifferentiated hAECs express HLA class I antigens, implying that hAECs may elicit immune responses following allogeneic transplantation. Using xenotransplantation models we are investigating the effects of hAECs on adaptive and innate immune responses of the host.

Characterisation of hAEC
hAECs obtained from term delivered amnion consist of stem and progenitor like cells and more differentiated cells. To gain a better understanding of the stem cell like properties of hAECs, we are characterising the transcriptional regulators, molecular pathways and epigenetic modifications governing transdifferentiation and tumorigenesis in collaboration with Melbourne University and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.