Alteration in Expression of Primordial Germ Cell (PGC) Markers During Induction of Human Amniotic Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hAMSCs)

BACKGROUND: Currently, scientists are looking for a solution to the problem of the couples who have a lack of germ cells by through cell therapy. It is found that human amniotic membrane mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) could be a good candidate for solving this problem. In the present study, an attempt was made to show that hUMSCs can express the PGC markers in the presence of retinoic acid (RA). METHODS: Placenta was obtained from healthy mothers and amniotic stem cells were isolated by enzymatic method from amniotic membrane. The cells were treated by retinoic acid for 14 days. Mesenchymal properties of hAMSCs were assessed by flow-cytometry and expression of PGC markers was established by Q-PCR. RESULTS: Mesenchymal stem cell properties were confirmed by antibodies against mesenchymal stem cell markers (CD73, CD90, and CD105). After that, the expression of the C-kit, Oct4, SSEA4, VASA genes were determined as primordial germ cell markers using quantitative PCR. It was found that the use of retinoic acid led to the highest expression of C-kit, SSEA4, VASA genes and lower expression of Oct4. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that retinoic acid can be used as a suitable factor for induction of hAMSCs into primordial germ cells (PGCs) and hAMSCs have enough potential to do that.