Cryopreservation does not alter karyotype, multipotency, or NANOG/SOX2 gene expression of amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cells

Genet Mol Res. 2012 Apr 19;11(2):1002-12. doi: 10.4238/2012.April.19.5.

Abstract

Cryopreservation of mesenchymal stem cells from amniotic fluid is of clinical importance, as these cells can be harvested during the prenatal period and stored for use in treatments. We examined the behavior of mesenchymal stem cells from human amniotic fluid in culture that had been subjected to cryopreservation. We assessed chromosomal stability through karyotype analysis, determined whether multipotent capacity (differentiation into adipogenic, chondrogenic, and osteogenic cells) is maintained, and analyzed SOX2 and NANOG expression after thawing. Five amniotic fluid samples were cryopreserved for 150 days. No chromosomal aberrations were observed. The expression levels of NANOG and SOX2 also were quite similar before and after cryopreservation. Capacity for differentiation into adipogenic, chondrogenic, and osteogenic tissues also remained the same. We conclude that cryopreservation of amniotic fluid does not alter karyotype, NANOG/SOX2 gene expression, or multipotent capacity of stem cells that have been collected from amniotic fluid during pregnancy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amniotic Fluid / cytology
  • Amniotic Fluid / metabolism*
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cryopreservation*
  • DNA Primers
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Expression
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Karyotyping*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Nanog Homeobox Protein
  • Pregnancy
  • SOXB1 Transcription Factors / genetics*

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • NANOG protein, human
  • Nanog Homeobox Protein
  • SOX2 protein, human
  • SOXB1 Transcription Factors