Fig. 2

Perspectives of amniotic membrane stem cell therapy against COVID-19. Stem cells isolated from the amnion of the human placenta at term include hAECs and hAMSCs. HAMSCs and hAECs have immunoregulatory, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative properties. These features position amniotic stem cells as candidate for a successful treatment against COVID-19. The amniotic membrane stem cell therapy could attenuate the cytokine storm that occurs in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Amnion cells could modulate the proliferation, function, and migration of immune cells such as T and B lymphocytes, NK cells, DC, neutrophils, and macrophages. Thus, hAECs and hAMSCs would stimulate regulatory immune cells decreasing the pulmonary inflammatory microenvironment. Moreover, amniotic membrane cells would reduce proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, and MCP-1) and increase the release of soluble anti-inflammatory factors (IL-10, IL-1β, PGE2, MIF, VEGF, and IDO). Additionally, amnion cells could exert an anti-fibrotic effect at the lung injury focus through TGF-β factor inhibition. Altogether, human amniotic membrane stem cell therapy would prevent multiple organ failure progression in patients who suffer from COVID-19 (This figure was created with BioRender.com)