Human and murine amniotic fluid c-Kit+Lin− cells display hematopoietic activity

Abstract

AbstractWe have isolated c-Kit+Lin− cells from both human and murine amniotic fluid (AF) and investigated their hematopoietic potential. In vitro, the c-Kit+Lin− population in both species displayed a multilineage hematopoietic potential, as demonstrated by the generation of erythroid, myeloid, and lymphoid cells. In vivo, cells belonging to all 3 hematopoietic lineages were found after primary and secondary transplantation of murine c-Kit+Lin− cells into immunocompromised hosts, thus demonstrating the ability of these cells to self-renew. Gene expression analysis of c-Kit+ cells isolated from murine AF confirmed these results. The presence of cells with similar characteristics in the surrounding amnion indicates the possible origin of AF c-Kit+Lin− cells. This is the first report showing that cells isolated from the AF do have hematopoietic potential; our results support the idea that AF may be a new source of stem cells for therapeutic applications.