Meng Lulu, Yang Jing, Gao Yijie, Xie Yiran, Chen Miaomiao, Hao Wangping, Luo Yi, Ru Ping, Wang Ling, He Zhiying, Liu Ming
Department of Obstetrics, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Innovation Center and State Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
Front Cell Dev Biol. 2025 Aug 22;13:1590212. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2025.1590212. eCollection 2025.
Preterm birth (PTB), defined as delivery before 37 weeks of gestation, poses a significant global health challenge. This review comprehensively examines the multifaceted role of amnion epithelial cells (AECs) in normal labor induction and preterm birth. AECs, derived from the amniotic ectoderm, exhibit paracrine effects, low immunogenicity, and non-tumorigenicity properties. They contribute to maintaining pregnancy through various aspects, such as immunomodulation, feto-maternal tolerance, and repair of placental membrane microfractures. Disruptions in AEC functions lead to preterm birth through mechanisms involving inflammation, oxidative stress, and the release of proinflammatory cytokines. This review highlights the therapeutic potentials of AECs, particularly in the context of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and the related complications. The disruption of AECs has shown promise as a predictive biomarker for preterm birth, whereas AECs as a potential cell therapy have been shown to benefit various neonatal disorders. This review emphasizes the need for further research to fully elucidate the mechanisms underlying the role of AECs in preterm birth and to explore their clinical applications for improving pregnancy outcomes.
早产（PTB）定义为妊娠37周前分娩，是一项重大的全球健康挑战。本综述全面研究了羊膜上皮细胞（AECs）在正常分娩发动和早产中的多方面作用。AECs来源于羊膜外胚层，具有旁分泌作用、低免疫原性和非致瘤性。它们通过免疫调节、母胎耐受和胎盘膜微骨折修复等多个方面维持妊娠。AEC功能的破坏通过炎症、氧化应激和促炎细胞因子释放等机制导致早产。本综述强调了AECs的治疗潜力，特别是在胎膜早破（PPROM）及其相关并发症方面。AECs的破坏已显示出作为早产预测生物标志物的前景，而AECs作为一种潜在的细胞疗法已被证明对各种新生儿疾病有益。本综述强调需要进一步研究，以充分阐明AECs在早产中作用的潜在机制，并探索其改善妊娠结局的临床应用。
