Isolation and characterization of c-kit+ stem cells from rat full-term gestation amniotic fluid

Amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSCs) are broad multipotent stem cells that can be differentiated into derivatives of the three primary germ layers and have future potential in regenerative medicine. AFSCs can be obtained from both the mid-term and full-term gestation amniotic fluid. Due to the limitations of getting the mid-term amniotic fluid from amniocentesis, the full-term amniotic fluid obtained from the merely discarded fluid is more accessible and has fewer ethical concerns. Immunoselection against c-kit or CD117 has been shown to isolate AFSCs expressing c-kit+ cells successfully. This chapter focuses on establishing and characterizing rat full-term amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSCs) isolated using the c-kit or CD117; the methodology for isolating AFSCs from obtaining the amnion sacs from rats to the immunoselection against c-kit was discussed in detail. The molecular and functional characterization of rat AFSCs at full-term gestation discussed in this chapter proves the presence of highly potent stem cells among c-kit+ cells in the fluid that is merely discarded during delivery that could serve as a potential source for regenerative therapy.