Differentiation of human amniotic membrane cells into osteoblasts in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: Pluripotent stem cells may be exist in the human amniotic membrane (HAM). The present article was aimed at establishing HAM cell lines and investigating their differentiation into osteoblasts in vitro. METHODS: HAM cell lineswere established using routine cell culture techniques and expanded in vitro. RESULTS: HAM cells were propagated from 45 out of 50 specimens (90%) and all were maintained normal karyotypes in vitro. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and alizarin red S stain were positive for 12 out of 22 HAM cell lines (54.5%). The 22 HAM cell lines were selectedat random. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that this isolation method II was more effective for establishing cell lines which differentiate into osteoblast rather than method I.