Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To determine whether human amnion mesenchyme cell– derived neural progenitors display antigenicity and immunogenicity after xenogeneic transplantation into the subretinal space, and whether these cells can survive and show potential to differentiate into neurons in retina. Methods: Human amnion mesenchyme cells were isolated and cultured from human amnion obtained during cesarean section under the informed consent. Cultured human amnion mesenchyme cells vital–stained with PKH26 were transplanted into the subretinal space of normal BALB/c mice and C.B17 (SCID, immune deficiency) mice trans–sclerally using 32 gauge blunt needles. Eyes were enucleated at 1, 2 and 4 weeks after transplantation, and were assessed histologically and immunohistochemically to evaluate survival of PKH26 positive cells and expression of human major histocompatibility complex (MHC), neural stem cell markers and neuron markers on transplanted cells, under confocal microscopy. Results: Cultured human amnion mesenchyme cells expressed MHC Class I and neural stem cell markers – i.e. Musashi and Nestin, in vitro. After subretinal transplantation, these cells expressed both MHC Class I and Class II in mouse eyes. Eyes of BALB/c recipients were severely infiltrated with inflammatory cells, especially in the posterior segment, and showed no evidence of survival of PKH26 positive cells. On the other hand, eyes of C.B17 recipients displayed little inflammatory responses, and showed that PKH26 positive cells expressing neural stem cell markers (Musashi and Nestin) or neuron marker (NF–M) in subretinal space at four weeks after transplantation. Conclusions: Human amnion mesenchyme cell – derived neural progenitors display antigenicity and immunogenicity after subretinal transplantation. These cells were vulnerable when transplanted into subretinal space of normal xenogeneic recipients. Whereas, it is suggested that these cells can survive and differentiate into neurons in the eyes of recipients with immune suppression.
Keywords: regeneration • transplantation • inflammation