Human Amniotic Membrane: A Versatile Scaffold for Tissue Engineering

Abstract

The human amniotic membrane (hAM) is a collagen-based extracellular matrix derived from the human placenta. It is a readily available, inexpensive, and naturally biocompatible material. Over the past decade, the development of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, along with new decellularization protocols, has recast this simple biomaterial as a tunable matrix for cellularized tissue engineered constructs. Thanks to its biocompatibility, decellularized hAM is now commonly used in a broad range of medical fields. New preparation techniques and composite scaffold strategies have also emerged as ways to tune the properties of this scaffold. The current state of understanding about the hAM as a biomaterial is summarized in this review. We examine the processing techniques available for the hAM, addressing their effect on the mechanical properties, biodegradation, and cellular response of processed scaffolds. The latest in vitro applications, in vivo studies, clinical trials, and commercially available products based on the hAM are reported, organized by medical field. We also look at the possible alterations to the hAM to tune its properties, either through composite materials incorporating decellularized hAM, chemical cross-linking, or innovative layering and tissue preparation strategies. Overall, this review compiles the current literature about the myriad capabilities of the human amniotic membrane, providing a much-needed update on this biomaterial.

Human Amniotic Membrane: A review on tissue engineering, application, and storage

“…Lastly, the spongy layer allows the hAM to slide upon the chorion. 11,12 The hAM and the chorion form the fetal membranes, and both layers can be separated as shown in Figure 2(b).…”

“…However, to improve the variability of its mechanical properties (as discussed in Section 1.3), and the variation of biological performance (related to storage conditions or donor variability) some works and patents have discussed employing complementary scaffolding techniques with hAM inclusion as summarized in Table 1, with the aim being to create composites utilizing biomaterials that enhance the hAM scaffold efficacy for different applications. 11 In one study, lyophilized and pulverized hAM was combined with synthetic and natural polymers to develop composite scaffolds for TE. Such scaffolds showed good responses for skin regeneration with a better cosmetic appearance in comparison with native hAM alone in an animal model.…”

Decellularized amniotic membrane Scaffolds improve differentiation of iPSCs to functional hepatocyte‐like cells

“…23,24 Many research and clinical studies have shown decellularized hAM ability to support cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation and it has antimicrobial, antifibrosis, and anti-inflammatory properties. 18,25,26 These biological and biochemical properties along with availability and low cost processing have led to use hAM as a biomaterial source for clinical and tissue engineering applications. Over the last two decades, decellularized hAM as a biocompatible biomaterial used to engineer several types of tissue such as blood vessel, 27 cartilage, 28 urothelium, 29 and ophthalmic and dermatologic applications.…”

“…The base membrane is rich source of vital ECM proteins such as collagens type III, IV, and V; laminin and fibronectin that provide structural integrity and mechanical strength to the tissue . Many research and clinical studies have shown decellularized hAM ability to support cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation and it has antimicrobial, antifibrosis, and anti‐inflammatory properties . These biological and biochemical properties along with availability and low cost processing have led to use hAM as a biomaterial source for clinical and tissue engineering applications.…”

Osteogenic effects of exosomes derived from human chorion membrane extracts

“…It is an ideal tissue for natural biomaterials in the field of tissue engineering and regeneration medicine [ 21 ]. Therefore, the amniotic membrane in the placenta has been studied by many researchers and applied to the wound as a biological bandage [ 21 – 23 ]. In contrast, the chorion membrane in the placenta has not been studied and used in the clinical field because of its structure.…”