Open AccessRenal differentiation of amniotic fluid stem cells
Author(s) -
Perin L.,
Giuliani S.,
Jin D.,
Sedrakyan S.,
Carraro G.,
Habibian R.,
Warburton D.,
Atala A.,
De Filippo R. E.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
cell proliferation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.647
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1365-2184
pISSN - 0960-7722
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2184.2007.00478.x
Subject(s) - amniotic fluid , biology , renal stem cell , stem cell , amniotic stem cells , microbiology and biotechnology , kidney , amniotic epithelial cells , induced pluripotent stem cell , regeneration (biology) , embryonic stem cell , adult stem cell , endocrinology , biochemistry , fetus , progenitor cell , genetics , pregnancy , gene
Abstract. Objectives : The role of stem cells in regenerative medicine is evolving rapidly. Here, we describe the application, for kidney regeneration, of a novel non‐genetically modified stem cell, derived from human amniotic fluid. We show that these pluripotent cells can develop and differentiate into de novo kidney structures during organogenesis in vitro . Materials and methods : Human amniotic fluid‐derived stem cells (hAFSCs) were isolated from human male amniotic fluid obtained between 12 and 18 weeks gestation. Green fluorescent protein and Lac‐Z‐transfected hAFSCs were microinjected into murine embryonic kidneys (12.5–18 days gestation) and were maintained in a special co‐culture system in vitro for 10 days. Techniques of live microscopy, histology, chromogenic in situ hybridization and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction were used to characterize the hAFSCs during their integration and differentiation in concert with the growing organ. Results : Green fluorescent protein and Lac‐Z‐transfected hAFSCs demonstrated long‐term viability in organ culture. Histological analysis of injected kidneys revealed that hAFSCs were capable of contributing to the development of primordial kidney structures including renal vesicle, C‐ and S‐shaped bodies. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction confirmed expression of early kidney markers for: zona occludens‐1, glial‐derived neurotrophic factor and claudin. Conclusions : Human amniotic fluid‐derived stem cells may represent a potentially limitless source of ethically neutral, unmodified pluripotential cells for kidney regeneration.