Objective To establish the method of isolation

purification

and identification of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs). Methods hAMSCs were isolated from human amniotic membrane by trypsin-collagenase digestion

and cultured in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medinm/F12 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. Phenotypic characteristics of these cells were analyzed by means of immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry. Results The cells successfully isolated from human amniotic membrane expressed representative mesenchymal cell surface markers CD44

CD90

and vimentin

but not CD45. Conclusions This study establishes a potential method for isolation of hAMSCs from human amnion

in vitro culture

and identification. The isolated cells show phenotypic characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells.