Abstract:

This study aimed to research characteristics of poultry embryo amniotic epithelial cells (AECs) which were isolated, cultured, identified and induced to differentiate to different mesodermal cells. AECs were isolated from Beijing-You chicken fetal membranes using enzymes digestion, immunofluorescence and RT-PCR were used to identify Nanog, Oct-4, Sox-2, CK19 and Vimentin. The multi-lineage differentiation potential of AECs was investigated, which were induced to differentiate into osteoblasts, adipocytes and pancreatic-islet like cells cells. The result showed that chicken AECs not only expressed the special markers of stem cells, but were induced to differentiate into osteoblasts, adipocytes and pancreatic-islet like cells successfully. To sum up, the AECs isolated from Beijing-You chicken fetal membranes have a high reproductive capacity and plasticity in vitro, and can be used as seed cells for the preservation of endangered species and for clinical treatment. The results can provide the theoretical basis for clinical treatment using AECs.