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Human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) have been the object of intense research due to their potential therapeutic use. In this paper, we present molecular evidence of a bona fide epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) undergone by hAECs. Amniotic membrane (AM)-derived hAECs showed the presence of typical epithelial markers such as E-cadherin and cytokeratins. hAECs in culture, however, underwent morphological changes acquiring a mesenchymal shape. Epithelial cell markers were lost and typical mesenchymal markers, such as vimentin and α-SMA, appeared. Several genes associated with EMT, such as SNAI1 , MMP9 , PAI1 , or ACTA2 , increased their expression. The expression of the transcription activators KLF4 or MTA3 was consistent with the downregulation of CDH1 . We have shown that hAECs undergo EMT due to the autocrine production of TGF-β. Furthermore, the addition of the TGF-β receptor I (ALK5) inhibitor SB-431542 or TGF-β neutralizing antibody to hAECs prevented EMT and preserved the hAECs' epithelial phenotype. Altogether, these results suggest that cultured hAECs undergo EMT through the autocrine production of TGF-β.