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BOR - Papers in Press, published online ahead of print May 9, 2007.
Biol Reprod 2007, 10.1095/biolreprod.106.055244
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Submitted July 2, 2006
Returned for revision August 21, 2006
Accepted April 30, 2007

Pregnancy


Stem Cells Derived from Human Fetal Membranes Display Multi-Lineage Differentiation Potential

Sivakami Ilancheran , Anna Michalska , Gary Peh , Euan M Wallace , Martin Pera , and Ursula Manuelpillai *

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: ursula.manuelpillai{at}med.monash.edu.au.

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 (neuro-ectodermal) 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 SCID mice testes. Lastly, using flow cytometry we have shown that only a very small proportion of primary hAECs contain Class IA and Class II Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA), 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, HLA. 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.

Key words: Developmental biology • Placenta • fetal membranes • amnion • stem cells


This article has been cited by other articles:


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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]


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