Human amniotic fluid stem cells for treatment of acute kidney injury

Intravenously injected human amniotic fluid stem cells (hAFSCs) led to rapid normalization of renal function in nonimmune-competent mice presenting glycerol-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). Both hAFSCs and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) induced enhanced tubular cell proliferation and reduced apoptosis. Both cell types accumulated within the peritubular capillaries and the interstitium, but hAFSCs were more persistent than MSCs. These results suggest that the hAFSCs may improve renal regeneration in AKI, but are not significantly more effective than MSCs.