Objective: To investigate the possibility of using amniotic fluid cells as seed cells for tissue engineering.
Methods: Amniotic fluid was obtained by ultrasound-guided amniocentesis performed on pregnant women with a gestational age ranging from 16(th) approximately 23(rd) weeks. The cells isolated from the amniotic fluid were cultured in F10 culture fluid with 10% FBS. Immunocytochemistry was used to examine the standard intermediate filaments. After 3 passages of subculture, the cells were harvested and seeded onto PGA polymer scaffold. The cellular morphology, structure and adhesion with scaffold were evaluated by contrast microscope and scanning electronic microscope.
Results: The amniocytes expanded rapidly in culture media. Immunocytochemistry revealed positive signals for vimentin, smooth muscle action (SMA), and pan cytokeratin, and negative signals for desmin. Amniocytes-polymer complex analysis showed confluent cells firmly attached to the scaffold, with no evidence of cell death.
Conclusion: The expansion potential of amniotic fluid cells is active. They express the characteristics of mesenchymal cells. The cells on PGA polymer scaffold can grow rapidly and maintain its morphological property. So the amniotic fluid may be a practical cell source for tissue engineering.