comparison of characteristics of human amniotic membrane and human adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells

background mesenchymal stem cells (mscs) are ideal candidates for treatment of diseases. amniotic membranes are an inexpensive source of mscs (am-msc) without any donor site morbidity in cell therapy. adipose tissue derived stem cells (ascs) are also suitable cells for cell therapy. there is discrepancy in cd271 expression among mscs from different sources. in this study, the characteristics of am-msc and ascs and cd271 expression were compared. methods adult adipose tissue samples were obtained from patients undergoing elective surgical procedure, and samples of amniotic membrane were collected immediately after caesarean operation.  after isolation and expansion of mscs, the proliferation rate and viability of cells were evaluated through calculating dt and mtt assay. expression of routine mesenchymal specific surface antigens of mscs and cd271 was evaluated by flow cytometry for both types of cells. results the growth rate and viability of the mscs from the amniotic membrane was significantly higher compared with the ascs.  the low expression of cd14 and cd45 indicated that am-msc and ascs are non hematopoietic cells, and both cell types expressed high percentages of cd44, cd105. the results revealed that am-msc and ascs expressed no cd271 on their surfaces. conclusion this study showed that amniotic membrane is a suitable cell source for cell therapy, and cd271 is a negative marker for mscs identification from amniotic membrane and adipose tissue.