Korean J Fertil Steril.  2004 Dec;31(4):261-272.

Human Amniotic Fluid Cells Support Expansion Culture of Human Embryonic Stem Cells

• Kim HS
• Seol HW
• Ahn HJ
• Oh SK
• Ku SY
• Kim SH
• Choi YM
• Kim JG
• Moon SY

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
This study was performed to evaluate the possibility of prolonged culture of human embryonic stem cells (hESC; SNUhES2) on human amniotic fluid cells (hAFC), which had been storaged after karyotyping. METHOD: The hAFC was prepared for feeder layer in the presence of Chang's medium and STO medium (90% DMEM, 10% FBS) at 37degrees C in a 5% CO2 in air atmosphere. Prior to use as a feeder layer, hAFC was mitotically inactivated by mitomycin C. The hESCs on hAFC were passaged mechanically every seven days with ES culture medium (80% DMEM/F12, 20% SR, bFGF).
RESULTS
The hAFC feeder layer support the growth of undifferentiated state of SNUhES2 for at least 59 passages thus far. SNUhES2 colonies on hAFC feeder appeared slightly angular and flatter shape as compared with circular and thicker colonies observed with STO feeder layer and showed higher level with complete undifferentiation in seven days. Like hESC cultured on STO feeders, SNUhES2 grown on hAFC expressed normal karyotype, positive for alkaline phosphatase activity, high telomerase activity, Oct-4, SSEA-3, SSEA-4, Tra-1-60 and Tra-1-81 and formed embryoid bodies (EBs).
CONCLUSION
The hAFC supports undifferentiated growth of hESC. Therefore, these results may help to provide a clinically practicable method for expansion of hESC for cell therapies.

Keyword

Human embryonic stem cells (hESC); Human amniotic fluid cells (hAFC); Feeder layer; Undifferentiation; Expansion of hESC

MeSH Terms

Alkaline Phosphatase
Amniotic Fluid*
Atmosphere
Embryoid Bodies
Embryonic Stem Cells*
Feeder Cells
Female
Humans*
Karyotype
Karyotyping
Mitomycin
Telomerase
Alkaline Phosphatase
Mitomycin
Telomerase