Isolation of Human Neural Stem Cells from the Amniotic Fluid with Diagnosed Neural Tube Defects.
Human neural stem cells (NSCs) are particularly valuable for the study of neurogenesis process and have a therapeutic potential in treating neurodegenerative disorders. However, current progress in the use of human NSCs is limited due to the available NSC sources and the complicated isolation and culture techniques. In this study, we describe an efficient method to isolate and propagate human NSCs from the amniotic fluid with diagnosed neural tube defects (NTDs), specifically, anencephaly. These amniotic fluid-derived NSCs (AF-NSCs) formed neurospheres and underwent long-term expansion in vitro. In addition, these cells showed normal karyotypes and telomerase activity and expressed NSC-specific markers, including Nestin, Sox2, Musashi-1, and the ATP-binding cassette G2 (ABCG2). AF-NSCs displayed typical morphological patterns and expressed specific markers that were consistent with neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and dopaminergic neurons after proper induction conditions. Furthermore, grafted AF-NSCs improved the physiological functions in a rat stroke model. The ability to isolate and bank human NSCs from this novel source provides a unique opportunity for translational studies of neurological disorders.
1 Bioresource Collection and Research Center, Food Industry Research and Development Institute , Hsinchu, Taiwan .
Yu-Jen
YJ
Chang
2 Department of Life Sciences, National Chung-Hsing University , Taichung, Taiwan .
Hong-Lin
HL
Su
1 Bioresource Collection and Research Center, Food Industry Research and Development Institute , Hsinchu, Taiwan .
Lee-Feng
LF
Hsu
2 Department of Life Sciences, National Chung-Hsing University , Taichung, Taiwan .
Po-Jui
PJ
Huang
3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lin-Kou Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University , Taoyuan, Taiwan .
Tzu-Hao
TH
Wang
4 Stem Cell Center and Department of Education and Medical Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital , Taichung, Taiwan .
Fu-Chou
FC
Cheng
1 Bioresource Collection and Research Center, Food Industry Research and Development Institute , Hsinchu, Taiwan .
Li-Wen
LW
Hsu
5 Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Cathay General Hospital , Taipei, Taiwan .|6 School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University , New Taipei City, Taiwan .
Ming-Song
MS
Tsai
7 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mackay Memorial Hospital , Taipei, Taiwan .
Chih-Ping
CP
Chen
3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lin-Kou Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University , Taoyuan, Taiwan .
Yao-Lung
YL
Chang
3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lin-Kou Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University , Taoyuan, Taiwan .
An-Shine
AS
Chao
1 Bioresource Collection and Research Center, Food Industry Research and Development Institute , Hsinchu, Taiwan .
Shiaw-Min
SM
Hwang
D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D064593:Heterografts; D006801:Humans; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D020521:Stroke / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy
D000943:Antigens, Differentiation