eCM (Eur Cell Mater / e Cells & Materials) eCM Open Access Scientific Journal
 ISSN:1473-2262         NLM:100973416 (link)         DOI:10.22203/eCM

2010   Volume No 19 – pages 22-29

Title: Differentiation factors that influence neuronal markers expression in vitro from human amniotic epithelial cells

Author: H Niknejad, H Peirovi, A Ahmadiani, J Ghanavi, M Jorjani

Address: Nanomedicine and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shaheed Beheshti Medical University, P.O. Box 1985711151, Tehran, Iran

E-mail: niknejad at sbmu.ac.ir

Key Words:Amniotic epithelial cells, noggin, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), retinoic acid, serum, neuronal markers.

Publication date: January 14th 2010

Abstract: The differentiation of neural cells from embryonic stem cells is influenced by several growth factors. Amniotic epithelial cells (AECs) share many of the same characteristics as embryonic stem cells, and therefore those factors may similarly affect the derivation of neural cells from AECs. In this study, we examined the differentiation of neural cells in vitro from AECs following AECs treatment with retinoic acid (RA), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) as well as investigation of bFGF withdrawal on neuronal differentiation. We also studied whether blocking bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling using its antagonist, noggin, affects the derivation of neuronal cells from AECs. The effects of serum on the rate of neural markers expression were also examined. Analysis of AECs derived neurons was performed at some neural markers expression level by immunocytochemistry. All cultures treated with noggin showed the higher levels of neural markers expression than noggin free cultures. Combined treatment with bFGF and RA showed the highest level of neural markers in all treatment groups with or without noggin. bFGF withdrawal did not promote expression of neural markers, while its maintenance increased the expression of these markers. Serum-free condition decreased the viability of cells but increased the rate of neural markers expression. These results show the capability of AECs to express neural cell markers and this ability is affected by some factors including serum, noggin, bFGF and RA.

Article download: Pages 22-29 (PDF file)
DOI: 10.22203/eCM.v019a03