[Optimization of in vitro culture conditions for human amniotic epithelial cells and expression of stem cell markers].

This study was purposed to optimize the culture conditions of the human amniotic epithelium cells (hAEC) in vitro, and detect the expression of hAEC pluripotent markers. Amnion tissues were separated from the underlying chorion through the spongy layer immediately after elective cesarean section of healthy pregnancy women at term. After the subsequent exposure to trypsin digestion, hAEC were cultured in DMEM with different supplements. The growth and proliferation potential of hAEC was evaluated, and the expression of cultured hAEC pluripotent markers was detected by using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry methods. The results indicated that when being cultured in the mediums similar to that of embryonic stem cell culture supplemented with 10 ng/ml EGF, the hAEC grew better and the time for passage was shortened. In addition, compared to other culture conditions, under this condition, the cells could be passaged up to 5 times as much without obvious morphological changes, and the pluripotent marker SSEA-4 was detected in the cultured cells by flow cytometry. Meanwhile, the detection of immunofluorescence showed the expression of vimentin in cultured hAEC was strengthened as compared with primary cells. It is concluded that the culture condition similar to that for embryonic stem cells supplemented with EGF facilitates the proliferation and passage of hAEC in vitro.