title: [Stem cell characteristics and islet differentiation potential of human amniotic epithelial cells].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To establish a method for isolating and culturing human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) in a serum-free medium and investigate their transdifferentiation ability into islet-like cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  The culture condition of hAECs was optimized using DMEM with different supplements. The genetic stability of the tenth-passage cells was assessed by chromosome analysis and G-banding method. The stem cell characteristics of the cells were identified by examination of the surface markers using immunofluorescence methods. The endocrine-related genes and hormones of the cells were tested after induced differentiation into islet-like cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The hAECs allow stable passaging in the presence of 10 ng epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the culture medium. After 10 passages, the cells maintained a normal karyotype and G-banding profile. The hAECs expressed many multi-potent stem cell markers, including SSEA4, TRA-1-60, and TRA-1-81. After induced differentiation, the endocrine-related genes were expressed in the islet-like cells, including PDX1, ngn3, insulin and glucagon. Insulin secretion increased in the differentiated islet-like cells in response to high glucose exposure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We established a method for isolating and expanding the hAECs in a serum-free medium. hAECs possess stem cell characteristics and can be induced to differentiate into islet-like cells in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, Central South University, Changsha , China. wjlx2000@yahoo.com.cn
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Guang-xiu
authors.initials: GX
authors.lastname: Lu
mesh_terms: D000650:Amnion / Q000166:cytology*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000166:cytology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin