Deleted in Azoospermia-Like (DAZL) gene-expressing cells in human amniotic fluid: a new source for germ cells research?
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether amniotic fluid cells contain a germ-like cell subpopulation.


METHODS
Experimental study.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Cells from human amniotic fluid samples were analyzed for messenger RNA expression of Deleted in Azoospermia-Like gene (DAZL) and Oct-4 by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. DAZL and C-kit protein expression was assessed by flow cytometry. Immunocytochemistry also was performed to determine DAZL-, stage-specific embryonic antigen 4 (SSEA-4)-, and Oct-4-positive cells.


METHODS
DAZL gene expression in amniotic fluid cells.


RESULTS
Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, flow cytometric, and immunocytochemical analyses revealed that human amniotic fluid consists of a distinct cell population that expresses DAZL, C-kit, SSEA-4, and Oct-4.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that human amniotic fluid represents a new source for the isolation of human DAZL-, C-kit-, SSEA-4-, and Oct-4-positive stem cells without raising the ethical issues associated with human embryonic research.
Stefanidis
Konstantinos
K
Laboratory of Stem Cells, Division of Reproductive Medicine, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alexandra Maternity Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece. kstefanidis@med.uoa.gr
Loutradis
Dimitris
D
Koumbi
Lemonika
L
Anastasiadou
Vasiliki
V
Dinopoulou
Vasiliki
V
Kiapekou
Erasmia
E
Lavdas
Alexandros A
AA
Mesogitis
Spiros
S
Antsaklis
Aris
A
D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D033041:Embryo Research; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010063:Ovum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*
C101358:DAZL protein, human; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins