Baculovirus-transduced mouse amniotic fluid-derived stem cells maintain differentiation potential

Amniotic fluid-derived stem cells have attracted considerable attention in the field of regenerative medicine. Approach of genetic modification probably enhances their regenerative potential. In this work, we wanted to determine whether baculovirus as a new gene vector could efficiently and safely transduce mouse amniotic fluid-derived stem cells (mAFSs). Cells were isolated from mouse amniotic fluid and cultured in vitro. These cells were analyzed by examining phenotypes and differentiation potential. They were further transduced with baculovirus. Baculovirus-transduced mAFSs were induced to differentiate into adipogenic, osteogenic, myogenic, and neurogenic lineages. Mouse amniotic fluid-derived stem cells were successfully isolated and cultured in vitro. They were positive for CD29 and Sca-1, but negative for CD34, CD45, or CD11b. Furthermore, they could differentiate into adipocytes, osteocytes, myocytes, and neurocytes in vitro. Baculovirus could efficiently transduced mAFSs. More importantly, baculovirus-transduced mAFSs retained differentiation potential. Thus, baculovirus vector effective and safe transduction is an attractive promise for genetic modification of mAFSs. Baculovirus genetically modified mAFSs will probably be more suitable as vehicles for regenerative medicine.