HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 77/3/577    most recent biolreprod.106.055244v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Ilancheran, S. Articles by Manuelpillai, U. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Ilancheran, S. Articles by Manuelpillai, U. Agricola Articles by Ilancheran, S. Articles by Manuelpillai, U.

Stem Cells Derived from Human Fetal Membranes Display Multilineage Differentiation Potential

Center for Women's Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,² Monash University, Monash Medical Center, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia Monash Institute of Medical Research,³ Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia Australian Stem Cell Center,⁴ Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia

ABSTRACT

The amnion is the inner of two membranes surrounding the fetus. That it arises from embryonic epiblast cells prior to gastrulation suggests that it may retain a reservoir of stem cells throughout pregnancy. We found that human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) harvested from term-delivered fetal membranes express mRNA and proteins present in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), including POU domain, class 5, transcription factor 1; Nanog homeobox; SRY-box 2; and stage-specific embryonic antigen-4. In keeping with possible stem cell-like activity, hAECs were also clonogenic, and primary hAEC cultures could be induced to differentiate into cardiomyocytic, myocytic, osteocytic, adipocytic (mesodermal), pancreatic, hepatic (endodermal), neural, and astrocytic (neuroectodermal) cells in vitro, as defined by phenotypic, mRNA expression, immunocytochemical, and/or ultrastructural characteristics. However, unlike hESCs, hAECs did not form teratomas upon transplantation into severe combined immunodeficiency mice testes. Last, using flow cytometry we have shown that only a very small proportion of primary hAECs contain class IA and class II human leukocyte antigens (HLAs), consistent with a low risk of tissue rejection. However, following differentiation into hepatic and pancreatic lineages, significant proportions of cells contained class IA, but not class II, HLAs. These observations suggest that the term amnion, an abundant and easily accessible tissue, may be a useful source of multipotent stem cells that possess a degree of immune privilege.

amnion, developmental biology, fetal membranes, placenta, stem cells

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C.-P. Chen, S.-H. Liu, J.-P. Huang, J. D. Aplin, Y.-H. Wu, P.-C. Chen, C.-S. Hu, C.-C. Ko, M.-Y. Lee, and C.-Y. Chen Engraftment potential of human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells after in utero transplantation in rats Hum. Reprod., October 9, 2008; (2008) den356v1. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M Mimeault and S K Batra Recent progress on normal and malignant pancreatic stem/progenitor cell research: therapeutic implications for the treatment of type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus and aggressive pancreatic cancer Gut, October 1, 2008; 57(10): 1456 - 1468. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				O. Parolini, F. Alviano, G. P. Bagnara, G. Bilic, H.-J. Buhring, M. Evangelista, S. Hennerbichler, B. Liu, M. Magatti, N. Mao, et al. Concise Review: Isolation and Characterization of Cells from Human Term Placenta: Outcome of the First International Workshop on Placenta Derived Stem Cells Stem Cells, February 1, 2008; 26(2): 300 - 311. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]