Evaluation of cytotoxic effects of condition medium from amniotic epithelial cells on cancer cell lines HeLa and MDA-MB-231

Introduction: Amniotic membrane, the innermost layer of extra-embryonic tissue, contains mesenchymal and epithelial stem cells. The amniotic mesenchymal cells have the capability of inhibition of growth of cancer cells. In this research, the effects of amniotic epithelial cells on the viability of cancer cells and the role of apoptosis in this procedure were evaluated. Methods: Amniotic membrane derived epithelial cells were cultured for 24 hours and their supernatant was added to the culture of cancer cells (HeLa and MDA-MB-231) in volumes of 200, 400, 600 and 800 mu l. Viability of cancer cell lines were measured by MTT assay after 24 hours. Also, the expression of caspase 3 and 8 (pro apoptotic proteins) was evaluated with immunocytochemistry. Analysis of data was performed using one-way analysis and post-Tukey test in ANOVA. Results: Viability of cancer cells were significantly decreased after culture with condition medium of amniotic epithelial cells in comparison to the control group. This decrease was dose-dependent and more significant at higher doses (600 and 800 ml). The expression of caspase-3 and caspase-8 was dose-dependently increased in cancer cells. Conclusion: The promising results of this study showed that amniotic epithelial cells have the capability to be investigated as a proper candidate for cancer therapy.