Cryopreserved amniotic fluid-derived cells: a lifelong autologous fetal stem cell source for heart valve tissue engineering

Abstract

Background and aim of the study: Fetal stem cells represent a promising cell source for heart valve tissue engineering. In particular, amniotic fluid-derived cells (AFDC) have been shown to lead to autologous fetal-like heart valve tissues in vitro for pediatric application. In order to expand the versatility of these cells also for adult application, cryopreserved AFDC were investigated as a potential life-long available cell source for heart valve tissue engineering.

Methods: Human AFDC were isolated using CD133 magnetic beads, and then differentiated and analyzed. After expansion of CD133- as well as CD133+ cells up to passage 7, a part of the cells was cryopreserved. After four months, the cells were re-cultured and phenotyped by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry, including expression of CD44, CD105, CD90, CD34, CD31, CD141, eNOS and vWF, and compared to their non-cryopreserved counterparts. The stem cell potential was investigated in differentiation assays. The viability of cryopreserved AFDC for heart valve tissue engineering was assessed by creating heart valve leaflets in vitro.

Results: After cryopreservation, amniotic fluid-derived CD133- and CD133+ cells retained their stem cell-like phenotype, expressing mainly CD44, CD90 and CD105. This staining pattern was comparable to that of their non-cryopreserved counterparts. Moreover, CD133- cells demonstrated differentiation potential into osteoblast-like and adipocyte-like cells. CD133+ cells showed characteristics of endothelial-like cells by eNOS, CD141 and beginning vWF expression. When used for the fabrication of heart valve leaflets, cryopreserved CD133- cells produced extracellular matrix elements comparable to their non-cryopreserved counterparts. Moreover, the resulting tissues showed a cellular layered tissue formation covered by functional endothelia. The mechanical properties were similar to those of tissues fabricated from non-cryopreserved cells.

Conclusion: The study results suggest that the use of cell bank technology fetal amniotic fluid-derived stem cells might represent a life-long available autologous cell source for heart valve tissue engineering, and also for adult application.