Bidirectional communication between neural and cardiac cells in human amniotic fluid.

Objective: To evaluate whether amniotic fluid cells contain cardiomyocyte- and neuron-like cells.

Study Design: In this experimental study, cells from human amniotic fluid samples were analyzed for mRNA expression of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2), vimentin and oxytocin (OT) receptor via RT-PCR. Immunocytochemistry was also performed with MAP-2, OT receptor, vimentin and troponin I antibodies.

Results: In all samples, MAP-2, vimentin and mRNA expression were detectable. OT receptor was also detectable. The cells showed strong immunoreactivity for molecular markers of neurogenic cells including MAP-2 and vimentin. The cells also showed strong immunoreactivity for molecular markers of cardiac muscle such as troponin I and for OT receptors. This report also shows that atosiban (an OT antagonist) added to culture medium of amniotic fluid cells did not induce neurogenic and cardiomyogenic differentiation.

Conclusions: The observed concurrent development of cardiomyocyte- and neuron-like cells suggests that amniotic fluid contains progenitor cells and there is bidirectional communication between both cell types.