title: A novel source of cultured podocytes.
abstract: Amniotic fluid is in continuity with multiple developing organ systems, including the kidney. Committed, but still stem-like cells from these organs may thus appear in amniotic fluid. We report having established for the first time a stem-like cell population derived from human amniotic fluid and possessing characteristics of podocyte precursors. Using a method of triple positive selection we obtained a population of cells (hAKPC-P) that can be propagated in vitro for many passages without immortalization or genetic manipulation. Under specific culture conditions, these cells can be differentiated to mature podocytes. In this work we compared these cells with conditionally immortalized podocytes, the current gold standard for in vitro studies. After in vitro differentiation, both cell lines have similar expression of the major podocyte proteins, such as nephrin and type IV collagen, that are characteristic of mature functional podocytes. In addition, differentiated hAKPC-P respond to angiotensin II and the podocyte toxin, puromycin aminonucleoside, in a way typical of podocytes. In contrast to immortalized cells, hAKPC-P have a more nearly normal cell cycle regulation and a pronounced developmental pattern of specific protein expression, suggesting their suitability for studies of podocyte development for the first time in vitro. These novel progenitor cells appear to have several distinct advantages for studies of podocyte cell biology and potentially for translational therapies.
authors.affiliation: GOFARR Laboratory for Organ Regenerative Research and Cell Therapeutics, Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles; Department of Urology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Da Sacco
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Division of Nephrology; Department of Pediatrics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: Kevin V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Lemley
authors.affiliation: GOFARR Laboratory for Organ Regenerative Research and Cell Therapeutics, Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles; Department of Urology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: Sargis
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sedrakyan
authors.affiliation: Interdepartmental Research and Service Centre for Biology and Regenerative Medicine-Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Ilenia
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zanusso
authors.affiliation: GOFARR Laboratory for Organ Regenerative Research and Cell Therapeutics, Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles; Department of Urology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: Astgik
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petrosyan
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: Janos
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peti-Peterdi
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Burford
authors.affiliation: GOFARR Laboratory for Organ Regenerative Research and Cell Therapeutics, Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles; Department of Urology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: Roger E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: De Filippo
authors.affiliation: GOFARR Laboratory for Organ Regenerative Research and Cell Therapeutics, Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles; Department of Urology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Perin
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000494:pharmacology; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000494:pharmacology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002469:Cell Separation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D024141:Collagen Type IV / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D050199:Podocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011692:Puromycin Aminonucleoside / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D015415:Biomarkers; D024141:Collagen Type IV; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C113267:nephrin; D000804:Angiotensin II; D011692:Puromycin Aminonucleoside