Amniotic epithelial cells transform into neuron-like cells in the ischemic brain

We investigated the potential use of rat amniotic epithelial (RAE) cells as donor cells for transplantation-based therapy in brain ischemia. In vitro, RAE cells were positive for both neuronal and neural stem cell markers, neurofilament microtubule-associated protein 2 and nestin. RT-PCR revealed that these cells express nestin mRNA. The RAE cells were transplanted into the hippocampus of adult gerbils that: were subjected to temporal occlusion of bilateral carotid arteries. Five weeks after transplantation, grafted cells migrated into the CAI pyramidal layer that showed selective neuronal death, and survived in a manner similar to CAI pyramidal neurons. These results suggest that intracerebral transplantation of amniotic epithelia[ cells may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of ischemic damage in neuronal disorders. NeuroReport 12:4003-4007 (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.