The induction of amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cells to ocular lens fiber cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are undifferentiated cells with ability of high proliferation that can differentiate into cells derived from mesenchymal and non-mesenchymal tissues. The aim of this study is isolation of amniotic fluid MSCs and induction of them to differentiate and produce lens fiber cells. Amniotic fluid MSCs was isolated from female pregnant mice and cultured with DMEM, FBS and antibiotic. MSCs, which were passaged three times, were cultured with DMEM, FBS, antibiotic and vitreous body for 14 days to induce the differentiation. MSCs and differentiated cells were identified by morphological observation and immunocytochemistery studies. Amniotic fluid MSCs expressed Oct4. Cultivated cells with vitreous body were locally longer and more parallel aligned with more nucleoli compared to control group cells. The expression of crystallins in treated cells was demonstrated with immunocytochemical studies. Amniotic fluid MSCs can differentiate in to lens fiber cells. Therefore, differentiated cells can be used to cure eye disease.